BENNIE ROSS CRAWFORD, JR. 74, of Memphis, TN, died Thursday, January 29, 2009, at his home in Memphis, TN. Mr. Crawford was a world-renowned Jazz musician and he was a member of the Abyssinia M B Church in New York, NY under the leadership of Rev. Adam Clayton Powell. Mr. Crawford received his under-graduate Degree from Tennessee State University, and in 2005, Tennessee State University honored him with a Doctorial degree in Performing Arts & Jazz. He was the son of the late Mr. Bennie Crawford and the late Mrs. Selena Deener Crawford. He is survived by his three daughters; Ms. Sherrie Crawford of Memphis, TN, Ms. Rhonda Brooks of Washington, D.C., Ms. Sherelle Brooks of New York, N.Y.; one son, Mr. Michael Crawford of Memphis, TN; four sisters, Mrs. Deloris Crawford of Memphis, TN, Mrs. Shirley Crawford Brown of Memphis, TN, Mrs. Marva Crawford McKinney of Memphis, TN, Ms. Alma Rose Crawford of Memphis, TN; two brothers, Mr. Danny L Crawford of Memphis, TN, and Mr. Ceylon F Crawford of Memphis, TN; three grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends to remember the musical notes he blew so profoundly in the hearts of so many. R. S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home, 374 Vance Avenue, Memphis, TN, is handling arrangements where the family will receive friends from Noon to 5:00 PM Friday, February 6, 2009. Funeral service will be at Hill Chapel M B Church at 1:30pm Saturday, January 31, 2009. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, TN. R. S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home (901)526-3264 (Published in The Commercial Appeal on 2/5/2009)
MEMPHIAN PLAYED WITH R&B GREATS - The evocative, blues-influenced playing of Memphis jazz great Hank Crawford colored the saxophonist's own albums and the work of many others, most notably Ray Charles. Born and raised in Memphis, Bennie Ross "Hank" Crawford Jr. was a childhood prodigy who first flashed his musical gifts in church. As a student at Manassas High School, he was a member of the school's band, The Rhythm Bombers. Manassas proved a hothouse atmosphere: Mr. Crawford's classmates included future jazz greats George Coleman, Harold Mabern and Charles Lloyd. Mr. Crawford died Thursday at his home. He was 74. Delores Crawford said her brother had been in declining health for the past year, dealing with the long-term effects of a stroke he suffered in 2000. Although Mr. Crawford made a return to the stage in 2003, he had not performed publicly in several years. In the late '40s and early '50s, Mr. Crawford was part of the thriving Mid-South dance band scene, serving as a member of outfits led by Ben Branch, Tuff Green, Al Jackson Sr. and Ike Turner, and backing up then-fledgling artists like B.B. King and Bobby "Blue" Bland. After high school, Mr. Crawford moved to Nashville, where he studied music at Tennessee State University and cut R&B records on the side. It was in Nashville that Mr. Crawford first crossed paths with Ray Charles. He joined Charles' band in 1959 and eventually became its musical director before leaving to form his own sextet in 1963. Mr. Crawford's recording career was distinguished and adventurous. He cut a series of critically acclaimed albums for Atlantic throughout the '60s, and later explored fusion and funk on the Kudu label in the '70s, before taking a back-to-roots jazz direction in the '80s. Over the years, Mr. Crawford also remained an in-demand sideman, working with a range of artists including Etta James, Lou Rawls, Jimmy McGriff and Dr. John. Although he spent much of his adult life based in New York City and touring Europe, Mr. Crawford returned to Memphis in 2000 after his stroke to recuperate with his family. He spent his remaining years splitting time between the Big Apple and his hometown. Mr. Crawford's death comes just over a week after the passing of his longtime collaborator David "Fathead" Newman. The two horn players were, for many years, the backbone of Charles' band. Mr. Crawford also leaves a son, Michael Crawford; a daughter, Sherri Crawford; a granddaughter, Tiffany Crawford, and six siblings. Funeral arrangements are pending. (Published in The Commercial Appeal 1-21-2009)
Click HERE for memorials of other Memphis musicians.
MEMPHIAN PLAYED WITH R&B GREATS - The evocative, blues-influenced playing of Memphis jazz great Hank Crawford colored the saxophonist's own albums and the work of many others, most notably Ray Charles. Born and raised in Memphis, Bennie Ross "Hank" Crawford Jr. was a childhood prodigy who first flashed his musical gifts in church. As a student at Manassas High School, he was a member of the school's band, The Rhythm Bombers. Manassas proved a hothouse atmosphere: Mr. Crawford's classmates included future jazz greats George Coleman, Harold Mabern and Charles Lloyd. Mr. Crawford died Thursday at his home. He was 74. Delores Crawford said her brother had been in declining health for the past year, dealing with the long-term effects of a stroke he suffered in 2000. Although Mr. Crawford made a return to the stage in 2003, he had not performed publicly in several years. In the late '40s and early '50s, Mr. Crawford was part of the thriving Mid-South dance band scene, serving as a member of outfits led by Ben Branch, Tuff Green, Al Jackson Sr. and Ike Turner, and backing up then-fledgling artists like B.B. King and Bobby "Blue" Bland. After high school, Mr. Crawford moved to Nashville, where he studied music at Tennessee State University and cut R&B records on the side. It was in Nashville that Mr. Crawford first crossed paths with Ray Charles. He joined Charles' band in 1959 and eventually became its musical director before leaving to form his own sextet in 1963. Mr. Crawford's recording career was distinguished and adventurous. He cut a series of critically acclaimed albums for Atlantic throughout the '60s, and later explored fusion and funk on the Kudu label in the '70s, before taking a back-to-roots jazz direction in the '80s. Over the years, Mr. Crawford also remained an in-demand sideman, working with a range of artists including Etta James, Lou Rawls, Jimmy McGriff and Dr. John. Although he spent much of his adult life based in New York City and touring Europe, Mr. Crawford returned to Memphis in 2000 after his stroke to recuperate with his family. He spent his remaining years splitting time between the Big Apple and his hometown. Mr. Crawford's death comes just over a week after the passing of his longtime collaborator David "Fathead" Newman. The two horn players were, for many years, the backbone of Charles' band. Mr. Crawford also leaves a son, Michael Crawford; a daughter, Sherri Crawford; a granddaughter, Tiffany Crawford, and six siblings. Funeral arrangements are pending. (Published in The Commercial Appeal 1-21-2009)
Click HERE for memorials of other Memphis musicians.
BENNIE ROSS CRAWFORD, JR. 74, of Memphis, TN, died Thursday, January 29, 2009, at his home in Memphis, TN. Mr. Crawford was a world-renowned Jazz musician and he was a member of the Abyssinia M B Church in New York, NY under the leadership of Rev. Adam Clayton Powell. Mr. Crawford received his under-graduate Degree from Tennessee State University, and in 2005, Tennessee State University honored him with a Doctorial degree in Performing Arts & Jazz. He was the son of the late Mr. Bennie Crawford and the late Mrs. Selena Deener Crawford. He is survived by his three daughters; Ms. Sherrie Crawford of Memphis, TN, Ms. Rhonda Brooks of Washington, D.C., Ms. Sherelle Brooks of New York, N.Y.; one son, Mr. Michael Crawford of Memphis, TN; four sisters, Mrs. Deloris Crawford of Memphis, TN, Mrs. Shirley Crawford Brown of Memphis, TN, Mrs. Marva Crawford McKinney of Memphis, TN, Ms. Alma Rose Crawford of Memphis, TN; two brothers, Mr. Danny L Crawford of Memphis, TN, and Mr. Ceylon F Crawford of Memphis, TN; three grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends to remember the musical notes he blew so profoundly in the hearts of so many. R. S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home, 374 Vance Avenue, Memphis, TN, is handling arrangements where the family will receive friends from Noon to 5:00 PM Friday, February 6, 2009. Funeral service will be at Hill Chapel M B Church at 1:30pm Saturday, January 31, 2009. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, TN. R. S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home (901)526-3264 (Published in The Commercial Appeal on 2/5/2009)
MEMPHIAN PLAYED WITH R&B GREATS - The evocative, blues-influenced playing of Memphis jazz great Hank Crawford colored the saxophonist's own albums and the work of many others, most notably Ray Charles. Born and raised in Memphis, Bennie Ross "Hank" Crawford Jr. was a childhood prodigy who first flashed his musical gifts in church. As a student at Manassas High School, he was a member of the school's band, The Rhythm Bombers. Manassas proved a hothouse atmosphere: Mr. Crawford's classmates included future jazz greats George Coleman, Harold Mabern and Charles Lloyd. Mr. Crawford died Thursday at his home. He was 74. Delores Crawford said her brother had been in declining health for the past year, dealing with the long-term effects of a stroke he suffered in 2000. Although Mr. Crawford made a return to the stage in 2003, he had not performed publicly in several years. In the late '40s and early '50s, Mr. Crawford was part of the thriving Mid-South dance band scene, serving as a member of outfits led by Ben Branch, Tuff Green, Al Jackson Sr. and Ike Turner, and backing up then-fledgling artists like B.B. King and Bobby "Blue" Bland. After high school, Mr. Crawford moved to Nashville, where he studied music at Tennessee State University and cut R&B records on the side. It was in Nashville that Mr. Crawford first crossed paths with Ray Charles. He joined Charles' band in 1959 and eventually became its musical director before leaving to form his own sextet in 1963. Mr. Crawford's recording career was distinguished and adventurous. He cut a series of critically acclaimed albums for Atlantic throughout the '60s, and later explored fusion and funk on the Kudu label in the '70s, before taking a back-to-roots jazz direction in the '80s. Over the years, Mr. Crawford also remained an in-demand sideman, working with a range of artists including Etta James, Lou Rawls, Jimmy McGriff and Dr. John. Although he spent much of his adult life based in New York City and touring Europe, Mr. Crawford returned to Memphis in 2000 after his stroke to recuperate with his family. He spent his remaining years splitting time between the Big Apple and his hometown. Mr. Crawford's death comes just over a week after the passing of his longtime collaborator David "Fathead" Newman. The two horn players were, for many years, the backbone of Charles' band. Mr. Crawford also leaves a son, Michael Crawford; a daughter, Sherri Crawford; a granddaughter, Tiffany Crawford, and six siblings. Funeral arrangements are pending. (Published in The Commercial Appeal 1-21-2009)
Click HERE for memorials of other Memphis musicians.
MEMPHIAN PLAYED WITH R&B GREATS - The evocative, blues-influenced playing of Memphis jazz great Hank Crawford colored the saxophonist's own albums and the work of many others, most notably Ray Charles. Born and raised in Memphis, Bennie Ross "Hank" Crawford Jr. was a childhood prodigy who first flashed his musical gifts in church. As a student at Manassas High School, he was a member of the school's band, The Rhythm Bombers. Manassas proved a hothouse atmosphere: Mr. Crawford's classmates included future jazz greats George Coleman, Harold Mabern and Charles Lloyd. Mr. Crawford died Thursday at his home. He was 74. Delores Crawford said her brother had been in declining health for the past year, dealing with the long-term effects of a stroke he suffered in 2000. Although Mr. Crawford made a return to the stage in 2003, he had not performed publicly in several years. In the late '40s and early '50s, Mr. Crawford was part of the thriving Mid-South dance band scene, serving as a member of outfits led by Ben Branch, Tuff Green, Al Jackson Sr. and Ike Turner, and backing up then-fledgling artists like B.B. King and Bobby "Blue" Bland. After high school, Mr. Crawford moved to Nashville, where he studied music at Tennessee State University and cut R&B records on the side. It was in Nashville that Mr. Crawford first crossed paths with Ray Charles. He joined Charles' band in 1959 and eventually became its musical director before leaving to form his own sextet in 1963. Mr. Crawford's recording career was distinguished and adventurous. He cut a series of critically acclaimed albums for Atlantic throughout the '60s, and later explored fusion and funk on the Kudu label in the '70s, before taking a back-to-roots jazz direction in the '80s. Over the years, Mr. Crawford also remained an in-demand sideman, working with a range of artists including Etta James, Lou Rawls, Jimmy McGriff and Dr. John. Although he spent much of his adult life based in New York City and touring Europe, Mr. Crawford returned to Memphis in 2000 after his stroke to recuperate with his family. He spent his remaining years splitting time between the Big Apple and his hometown. Mr. Crawford's death comes just over a week after the passing of his longtime collaborator David "Fathead" Newman. The two horn players were, for many years, the backbone of Charles' band. Mr. Crawford also leaves a son, Michael Crawford; a daughter, Sherri Crawford; a granddaughter, Tiffany Crawford, and six siblings. Funeral arrangements are pending. (Published in The Commercial Appeal 1-21-2009)
Click HERE for memorials of other Memphis musicians.
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