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Marianne Psichogios@ 8:04am 05-28-2013

Please Feel Free To Let Us Know How You Knew Franz (optional)

My mom and I use to go to see Mr. Jackson at the Red Arrow in Stickney, IL. I was about fourteen or so at the time. He was a great inspiration to me. I took up the clarinet because of him. He was also an very nice person. My mom and I enjoyed talking to him during his breaks. We also met his wife who was a lovely person. He was one of my favorite people in my life.
I was so hoping that Mr. Jackson was still alive. I wanted to take my grandson to hear him play. My grandson just started playing the clairinet. May Mr. Jackson rest in peace. Let's hope Jazz stays alive!
Sincerely,
Marianne Psichogios
Rev. R.Adams@ 7:42pm 02-22-2013

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"uncle franz" and my brother eddie were business partners in the 60s and early 70s.I spent many wonderful weekends at their home on wells st.Antie virgina and uncle franz and I would play music and sing and have a grand ole time. will call soon.Im so terribly sorry for your loss. The world truly lost a great,great man.
Dawn Turner@ 7:22am 09-11-2012

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I have a professional picture of Franz, my dad Herbert White (Jazz guitarist), and Jeanne Carroll together with their instruments. Although I don't know Franz, clearly my Dad did. I spoke with Franz's daughter a few years before Franz died via email. I work in the movie industry and I was doing some research on Jazz and my dad's life at the time. I was wondering how my dad and Franz met each other. I'd love to speak with her again some time.
This website is a nice tribute to Franz's work. Great Job!
Bob@ 1:33pm 05-16-2012
I met Franz when he played The Red Arrow in Stickney, IL back in the '50's. His music was great then and it was great 'til the end. Too much is made of Franz the musician and not enough about Franz the person. If his music was great, he, himself, was greater. His passing was a jolt, big time, to me.
Replied on: 10:16pm 05-21-2012

Bob, thank you so much for what you said about my dad. I agree, he was a great person which is what made him a great musician. It never ceases to amaze me that whenever anyone talks to me about their memories of my dad, they always speak about how he treated them in addition to how wonderful his music was. So, your point is well taken, but please know that many people out there share your appreciation of him as a man as much as a musician. Thanks again!
~ Michelle Jewell

Stuart Pearson@ 10:33am 11-20-2011
Hello Michelle:

I have all the Vinyl Albums that Franz made with the Jass All-Stars. At one point I made High Quality
Tapes of them so that I could play and enjoy them in my car. While everything is CD's in cars today I
have an Aux jack that allows me to Plug-in a Sony Walkman. I've found myself Playing, Listening, and
Enjoying the MUSIC of FRANZ + THE JASS ALL-STARS OVER AND OVER AGAIN! I don't think that
the Tapes are going to wear out anytime soon, but the Two Tapes with an Album recorded on each side
are surely getting a workout these days as I just don't tire of listening to those WONDERFUL SOUNDS!
David Hunter@ 11:44am 11-17-2011

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Franz and his band played at a jazz club in Schaumburg every Saturday night in 1987/1988. I went with my parents and probably saw him 15 times in person. Wonderful memories. A great jazz musician! Also, we bought his record, and I played those songs hundreds of times, until the machine broke!
Thanks so much for the web site! It's great!
ALLEN PIONKE@ 5:01am 08-17-2011

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MR. FRANZ JACKSON AND HIS BAND PLAYED FOR MY UNCLE EARL PIONKE AT HIS CLUB THE OLD TOWN GATE IN CHICAGO FOR A LONG TIME HE PERSONALLY TAUGHT ME A LOT ABOUT JAZZ MUSIC.
MR JACKSON WAS A GREAT MAN, WHEN I WAS IN GRAMMER SCHOOL,YEARS AGO HE WOULD LET ME SIT IN WITH HIS BAND I PLAYED DRUMS WITH HIM,HE ALWAYS MADE ME FEEL VERY WELCOME WHENEVER I WAS ABLE TO SIT IN WITH HIM AND HIS BAND,EVEN THOUGH I WAS VERY YOUNG.HE WAS A GREAT MAN, MUSICAN AND FRIEND IT WAS A PLEASURE TO KNOW HIM AND BE ABLE TO SIT IN WITH HIS GREAT BAND.
Replied on: 11:13pm 08-17-2011

Mr. Pionke, what a pleasure to see this comment from you about my dad, Franz Jackson. I remember hearing your uncle's name frequently in our house when I was growing up. My parents both thought highly of him and I'm pleased to know you have fond memories of your relationship with him. Michelle Jewell

Scott Dudgeon@ 10:07pm 06-18-2011

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Listening to" I is what I is" and just about to listen to Swing Thing. I saw him play (and bought the CDs) at the now defunct Joe's BeBop Cafe at Navy Pier in Chicago. Approached the sage and he was very friendly and appreciative (hard to find these days). My children were very young then but still remember and know the tunes.
A true class act!
Franz lives on!
Toni Termini@ 12:56am 02-13-2011
I remember going to the Rib Exchange with my father decades ago (I had turned 21 and am 51 now) and listening to Franz from the first set of the evening until the place closed. He and my father used to visit in between sets with me listening to all the magnificent stories of Jazz and Franz's life. It was an amazing time for me and my father, drawing us closer than ever.

Franz, being ever so generous, even signed his Night At The Red Arrow album and gave it to me. What a thrill for a youngster!

I often wonder if Franz continued to play the saxophone my father had given him after the Rib Exchange closed.

May they both rest in peace.
Pam Crammer@ 10:33am 10-26-2010
Living in Oak Park Illinois 1057-60, a group of us enjoyed many an evening of sheer joy listing to the Franz Jackson Combo at the Red Arrow at Stickney. Magical atmosphere. . jazz (with a fantastic female vocalist whose name I cannot recall), liquid refreshment and a smoky fug. . nothing quite like it . . certainly not here in the UK.
Roger Dart@ 8:48am 08-16-2010

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I came to know Franz through the generosity of the Usry family, when they invited my wife and I to join them for an evening of live jazz.
Can't remember now where we first heard Franz, but it was the beginning of a joyful acquaintance. That last time took place on a very hot summer evening in Chicago's Grant Park where he played Jazz Fest.
Melissa Anderson@ 9:00pm 07-25-2010
I really didn't know him personally, but have become friends with his daughter Michelle.

What a wonderful Tribute to a wonderful father.....Michelle. He had to be the best because he raised a wonderful caring and very smart daughter. He was lucky to have you and you to have him....the talent is amazing in both of you!
Michael J. Usry@ 9:34am 05-08-2010
I am Very Proud to have been able to grow up with Franz and his family! I can remember the family visiting my family almost every 4Th of July! My parents would all talk and have coffee and his kids and I would run into a nearby field and play around and climb trees. We had one tree which had blackberries and we would filla bowl up and run back to the house and put em over ice cream. I remember watching Franz play at the Rib Exchange as a little kid and my eyes lit up watching him play and have soo much fun entertaining his audience. It is a Great Pleasure to have been able not only to to watch him perform but to have been allowed to grow up with Franz and his Family! God Bless them all !!!!!!!!!
Replied on: 9:53am 05-08-2010

Mike, thank you for that beautiful recollection of our time with you and your family. I had forgotten about the blackberries until you mentioned it but, oh, what a wonderful memory! You and your family were, and still are, a special part of our lives and my parents loved that our families were able to be so close. Thanks for taking the time to write this. Love you!

~ Michelle

mike folz@ 8:11pm 03-07-2010
My father loved jazz. My father would take us to the Rib Exchange to see Franz every Friday night he could. One night Barrett Deems sat in on drums. My father was like a kid in the candy store. A memory and memories i will never forget. Thanks Franz
Tina Marzocca@ 6:29pm 02-27-2010
I didn't know Franz, but discovered him through Yves Francois who knew him well. I come back to this site often. Can't seem to get enough. I LOVE his music and I am in awe of his talent. I wish I had the opportunity to see him live. Thank you so much for this website!

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