RIP Bob Brookmeyer

I have received this letter from Maria Schneider, for being a newsletter subscriber at Artistshare:

Dear Antonio J.,

It's with great sadness that I share news of Bob Brookmeyer's death. I've loved Bob's compositions and arrangements and his playing since the moment I first heard his music in the '70s. It turned my life around. Bob became a wonderful teacher, mentor and dear friend. And he was enormously generous to those lucky enough to be his friend.

Oddly, Bob's newest recording came out last week--an astoundingly beautiful vocal album of arrangements where every cut is a perfect gem. It's one of those that you just want to listen to again and again. I've received calls from Jim Hall, Scott Robinson--numerous musicians who are in disbelief at the depth of it. His musicians give a spectacular performance that's vividly full of love. I was asked by Bob to write the liner notes, which was easy to do, and at one point I wrote:

"... there are two silent gaps that come near the end of this arrangement that are almost painful they're so sudden. It leaves you scared it's over. What a wonderful feeling to not want it to be over."

The same could be said by all of us about Bob and his music. It's so sad there won't be more. On the other hand, what a gift Bob has been giving us all for decades. There's so much to be grateful for. And here is one final, spectacular little gem that he's left with us.

Thank you, Bob. What a life! What an incredible life. Thank you for making this world a better place. You will be deeply missed.

Wishes of love, peace and happiness for your holidays.

Maria

Great musician, I'll miss him too