Wednesday, April 11, 2012

R.I.P.: Phoebe Jacobs

Please check:
http://oldnewyorkstories.com/post/11666719450/phoebe-jacobs-92

There's also the following paid notice posted today in The New York Times:

On behalf of Jazz at Lincoln Center's board, staff and the members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, past and present -

All of us at Jazz at Lincoln Center loved Phoebe Jacobs. We loved her feisty outspoken spirit, we loved her New York accent and style, we loved to listen to her talk about the past and her deep friendships with Louis Armstrong and so many other jazz greats, and we loved her optimism and her bright clear gaze always fixed on the next horizon and on the future. More than anything, we loved Phoebe Jacobs because she embodied the very essence and the heart and soul of America's greatest art form, jazz. She talked jazz, she swung jazz, she ate jazz, she danced jazz, and she lived the past and future of jazz. She was her own second line and wherever she was, the language, sound, taste and smell of our music -- jazz -- was always there. Almost from the very beginning of Jazz at Lincoln Center she was one of our brightest guardian angels. Phoebe and the Louis Armstrong Foundation, which she chaired and vice chaired, were there to guide, fund and challenge us to do more to spread the good news about jazz and its unique position in the story of America and American culture. The millions of dollars from the Louis Armstrong Foundation were essential to our growth and recognized success but even more important was the special gift Phoebe gave to us: the gift of herself with her warm, wonderful, honest personality. Her deep devotion and belief in the importance of this music helped us create so many programs which will influence generations of children to love jazz as she did and recognize its powerful message of making the world a warmer, more democratic and soulful place. We loved Phoebe dearly and will miss her and the sparkle she radiated whenever she entered our House of Swing. We send our deepest sympathy to her children and grandchildren.

Lisa Schiff, Chairman
Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director
Gordon J. Davis, Founding Chairman

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