In Memory, With Thankfulness

Photo & Text Copyright 2008 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

It seems to me the heart of musicians' work is playing together, listening to each other, listening to oneself and adding that offering into the mix. Each member influencing and influenced by the others. When the hard work to bring a composite vision together becomes tight, it's an incredible experience to be part of or witness. When you lose a longtime and admired partner, friend, and collaborator, an essential part of who you are leaves the stage when they do. Those left behind may morph and change and grow, but are never the entity they were or would become with that person's unique gift in the mix. My own saxophonist husband had to unexpectedly bow out last year, and so the news of 17 year veteran DMB saxophonist LeRoi Moore's passing on Tuesday made me think of him, his family and band mates with a lot of sadness and great sympathy. DMB figures large here in Seattle, and LeRoi Moore is such an integral part of the music that touches millions of ears and moves countless people like me to sing out loud in the car or dance while we clean house. DMB is touring California just now and, as is their tradition, will play the (Columbia) Gorge in George, WA over Labor Day weekend, with Flecktones saxophonist Jeff Coffin sitting in. I am wishing them all well. I offer this photo I took of a local player this summer as a tribute to a fine working musician who brought a lot of joy to our ears.