I apologize for being again the bearer of sad news from New Orleans. Last night, word flew around town that we've lost another musical giant--and a great, great friend.
Tim Green, master saxophonist, jazz mentor and champion of community radio, has passed away. Born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Tim knew from early childhood that music would be his life and that life would be spent in New Orleans. After high school, he spent a few years in New York and Boston, immersing himself in a seemingly limitless variety of music and meeting and learning from some of the greats. Grover Washington, Jr. took a special interest in Tim, inspiring him to buy his first horn and suggesting programs of study. Within six months, he'd already joined his first professional band.
After a single, frustrating, semester at Berklee College of Music, Tim followed his muse to the Crescent City, stepping off the Greyhound at Union Passenger Terminal with three dollars, two horns and a flute as the sun rose. He walked to Jackson Square, took out his horn and began playing. Before noon, he had an apartment and a steady gig.
Through the late 1970s, he worked with New Orleans stars Walter "Wolfman" Washington and Irma Thomas, before breaking away to explore the improvisational styles he loved with such artists as Gulfstream and the Stick Band, Michael Ray, James Singleton, Ellis Marsalis and countless others.
It's impossible to convey just how much, and how broadly, Tim played, but to give an idea, here's a snapshot of just a few of his gigs around town in 2009-2010. It is far from complete. Allmusic's list of his credits is equally incomplete, but gives an idea of his recorded catalog.
Tim's greatest strength as an artist, from the time he first began playing, was his adaptability and ear for improvisation. Whether the gig was complex modern jazz, standard New Orleans R&B and funk or powerful rock and roll, he was able to blend seamlessly with any combo or style. His work with Anders Osborne during the blues rocker's middle period, creating incredible castles of sound with Osborne on guitar, Kevin O'Day on drums and Kirk Joseph on sousaphone, is legendary among jam rock afficienados, while his collaborations with jazz greats like Jim Singleton, Johnny Vidacovitch and Michael Ray have been cited as the epitome of the genre.
Far from being simply a phenomenal player, Tim was a generous mentor and community servant, having served as president of the Louisiana Jazz Federation and station manager of New Orleans' signature radio station WWOZ and pioneering station for the blind and print-handicapped WRBH.
More than any of these accomplishments, however, Tim will be remembered for his kindness. A true gentleman, he treated every gig and every player with respect and gratitude for the opportunity to play. The posts this morning on the New Orleans Jazz Fest's blog reflect how dearly loved he was in the city's musical community. Guitarist Marc Stone put it perfectly:
He was the kindest hearted, hardest working, cleanest living absolute genius of a man you would ever want to meet. A man who played with all of the giants who not only was kind enough to play with a little cat like me, but who sent me handwritten thank you notes after almost every gig.
Anyone who knew Tim had stories about his epic musical mastery and devotion, and his endless human kindness.
RIP to one of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
There is little anyone can add, except that we will miss him so very much.