I just found out Ben Powell passed away from cancer, at age 38. He was an outstanding gypsy-jazz violinist (among many other styles) and a super kind person.
He was in the Hot Club Of America a few years back, and he was a Django In June instructor.
I've got fond memories of his gig with Adrien Moignard at the Louisville Django festival back in 2011 (video here).
Here are a few online tributes:
https://slippedisc.com/2024/10/cancer-claims-english-hollywood-star-38/
https://www.instagram.com/leahzeger/p/DBrl71pz836/
He died a few months ago, in October — somehow I'd missed the news until now.
Adrian
Comments
😔
Easy to lose the sight of and importance of living and enjoying life and those around you as if it's your last day on earth. But it so important. Just this morning my wife, who works in cancer research, was telling me that researches are very concerned with the trend of average age amongst people with cancer going lower and lower. It scares the hell out of me to be honest. And to leave at 38... fudge man, very sad.
Hey Brother, Trust your life is flourishing and all is well. Ben spent his last several months in Tucson with me, after which his family came and rented a house for treatments etc. I'll miss him. He had a good run...Way too young, but lots packed in. I threw this together with a couple of his closest friends and colleagues. Leah Zeger on voice & violins, Cécilia Tsan o Cello, myself, voice, guitar, producer etc. and our dear brother Thomas Parisch (who was Ben's roommate and part of his LA success) writing and arranging strings & helping with his otherworldly ear/skills. Live it up Ya;ll