Comments

Dick Raddatz@ 7:49am 02-19-2010
I worked in Aurora, my first year out of college,(1959-60) and found Franz & his band at the Red Arrow and I loved it. He actually made traditional style music lovers out of a couple of my girlfriends at the time, as I would take them there so much, they learned to appreciate it.
Ida Melrose@ 7:14pm 11-10-2009
I love this music! The band is great..What a treat to hear "good Jazz!" My father, Frank Melrose was a blues, boogie piano player in the early years. He died in 1941, but his love of this kind of music stayed with me. He would definitely be a "thumbs up" on Franz Jackson, and the band,I am too!
John McGaughey@ 11:38pm 11-02-2009
I seen Franz as a little kid at a restaurant. I did not know who he was but he sure made that a dinner one that I will remember forever. In the middle of his set he called me up to the stage where he signed and gave me one of his tapes. He seemed to be a kind man and a wonderful musician.
Kendrick Bisset@ 6:29pm 09-11-2009
I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Franz at Andy's on Fridays at noon. Andy's became my favorite lunch spot whenever I could get there. Leaving the Chicago area made it much harder, but I still tried to arrange to be there. I have several of Franz's CDs and tapes, which I cherish and play often (I'm listening to one now, which prompted this message). I am saddened that he is no longer physically with us, but his music and a little of his personality will live on.....
Dixie Hile@ 9:57am 07-23-2009
Didn't know Franz, but David shared his music with us
Love the music. Could listen for hours. Thank you for sharing!
Stuart Pearson@ 4:44pm 05-07-2009
While I don't need prompting to listen to Franz, and the Original Jass All-Stars, I made sure that I did so in memory of his passing. I guess first impressions mean a lot and last a long, long time as while I saw and heard Franz play in different places, and with other fine musicians my fondest memories will always be with him and the All-Stars at the Red Arrow.
John Przybylinski@ 3:57pm 04-10-2009
I knew of Franz more than I knew him. I was only face to face with the man once or twice. His music, however, served as my introduction to jazz. It opened a whole new world of musical expression and feeling to me and inspired me to become a better musician. I find now that I am using his music to inspire some of the at risk kids that I teach drums to. The heart and soul of this great musician, this great man will forever live on in his music. I am happy to have had the chance to meet him and to have my musical life changed for the better through the passion he expressed through his work.
Betsi Purcell Gager@ 1:28am 02-25-2009
I grew up with Franz. My father is a Jazz singer and has worked with him at Braxson,Andy's and many others.

You are Truly Missed. And it is a great loss to the next Generation of true jazz children. I am glad that my children were blessed to have knowen him.
Stuart Pearson@ 5:14pm 12-28-2008
As a LOVER OF TRADITIONAL JAZZ, but not a trained musician myself let me say that while attending numerous gigs at the Red Arrow that I witnessed Franz playing, or should I say holding a note for better than 2 minutes while the other band members never drowned him out. I believe in one instance he went 2 1/2 minutes. I was told by a friend of mine that there is a thing called circular breathing which enables one to accomplish such a feat. Franz had apparently mastered that technique.
Lois Jewell@ 1:46pm 12-04-2008
Michelle, I'm just listening to Blue Thursday and it brings tears to my eyes.
George Ostrum@ 9:25pm 11-20-2008
as a boy in the 50`s, Franz, Al Wynn, Bob Schoffner, Lawrence Dixon, used to come out to our house to jam with my dad Karl Ostrum (keys). Imagine the luck of having a giant and his friends come to your house fairly regularly for a pretty long time. No doubt he was a major force in making me a life long guitarist/music lover. Many of my best memories are of those sessions back when I was punk kid stealing 7 Up from the grown ups
Stuart Pearson@ 2:18pm 11-05-2008
Having known Franz over the years I feel certain that he'd be VERY HAPPY with the outcome of the election!
Denise@ 11:50am 08-29-2008
At the time I was the Concierge at the Courtyard Hotel and I also worked at Andy's 2 days a week. Mr. Jackson always came in the same, with a smile and he'd pat me on my back. I only heard him a few times but I was WOW'D. I just loved him, his spirit and that smile.
I was checking the jazz fest line-up and discovered he'd gone home. I know one thing for sure there is good jazz being played in heaven!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless
Denise

Have a wonderful day
Brad Markus@ 3:58pm 08-27-2008
Thanks to Franz,the Music World,and the World in General,will always have Hope. He was an extremely friendly person,sincere,and serious about music.He came from the tradition of the greatest musicians,Roy Eldridge,Earl Hines,Fletcher Henderson.Franz always stressed"Be sure to play the melody"
I was truly amazed,at his 95th Birthday Party that he played continuously for over 2 hours!
We as humans have a lot to learn from his humble,but shining example
Doug Long@ 4:59pm 07-25-2008
I interviewed Franz in about 1980 for a show on WBEZ. As a person, he was as warm as his playing. I was fortunate to have heard him play many times. He is truly one of the jazz greats of Chicago.

Added: Jun 8 2008 10:25pm

Messages: 16 until 30 of 73.
Number of pages: 5
Newer1 [2] 3 4 5Older