People // Marc V. // Blog
Tuesday March 04, 2008 at 12:59 AM |
Jeff Healey - Canadian award winning Blues/Jazz guitarist passed away in Toronto on Sunday March 2, 2008 after a long battle with cancer. Healey was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer (retinalblastoma) when he was only one year old. He subsequently lost his sight. At three years old he took up guitar. The 'Jeff Healey Band' achieved platinum record sales in the United States with the 1988 record 'See The Light'. During his all too short career he shared the stage with musicians such as George Harrison, B.B. King, and SRV.
Digg this
del.icio.usTuesday March 04, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Marc,
Thanks for bringing this up on the site. Jeff Healey's an important figure in the jazz/blues world and in Canadian music. A prodigy early on, he's been a household name in Canada since that first big album and someone who's garnered respect outside the borders.
Having grown up in Toronto, gone to school in Montreal and worked at Biddle's Jazz, I remember his music well: his time hosting CBC Radio's and CJRT's My Kind of Jazz; his early jazz covers and his work with George Harrison on Hell to Pay.
Too often, we forget musicians who quietly make us feel good, who offer the soundtracks to our everyday lives and who influence our tastes. That, for me, is part of the power and contribution of Healey - he was consistently present in my Canadian youth. For that, I'm thankful. I'd wish such high quality music on everyone.
David
Log in to comment on this blog post
