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I have heard that Eli Newberger has passed away. I read an article about it on Facebook but am now unable to locate it.

I regret that I live an hour or two from this man and never reached out.

arpthark wrote: ↑Mon Oct 28, 2024 6:27 pm I regret that I live an hour or two from this man and never reached out.

I used to bump into him at jazz festivals in the early 80s, but we didn't continue to communicate after I resigned from the band with which I was involved. (3-day festivals - plus flying on a 4th - were disruptive enough to running a music store, but - when our band got into "jazz cruises" - that was quite another thing) I thought it was a huge compliment one time when he showed up at a small venue - where we were playing in Edinburgh - and listened to our entire set, particularly considering (though we didn't exclusively play the 1950's "revival"/swinging style 1920's/'30's jazz music), mostly our band's stylistic traits differed from his NBE band's style quite a bit. When we would play particular songs where the beat really didn't swing, I stole some things from him that I heard him play when I would catch some of the NBE sets at jazz festivals. I can't say that what he did was authentic, but it was very cool, it was very Eli, and it was very worth stealing.

I know that I lack the imagination to have thought of this, lack the skills to have worked it up, and, certainly, lack the courage to have done it in public. Respect and RIP.

I didn’t know much about Eli’s music. I didn’t follow his band. I did read his book “The Men They Will Become.” The concept I felt it presented well is that every boy needs someone in their life that is crazy about them. Someone that, despite how the world treats them, loves them unconditionally and thinks they’re great. I’ve tried to do this for my son to the best of my ability.

I never met him in person, but he used to occasionally post on that other forum years ago. What an amazing life - effectively performing at a high level in 2 very different disciplines. He always struck me as both a good guy and a nice guy.

Ave Atque Vale Eli.

This was a few years after I would bump into them, but (seems to me) all the original guys...



...and 8 years earlier...