JON HAMMOND
Instruments: Organ, Accordion, Piano, Guitar
Attended: Berklee College of Music 1974
Languages: English, German
*Jon is currently Host of daily CBS radio program HammondCast on KYOU & KYCY 1550 AM, 7 days a week at 4AM PST.
Friday, March 09, 2012
Losing, and keeping, Lou Colombo: “Make Someone Happy” could have been the great horn player’s theme song
Losing, and keeping,Lou Colombo: “Make Someone Happy” could have been the great horn player’s theme song. As we read the tributes to a life well lived, let’s remember that we can keep Lou fresh in our hearts by emulating his upbeat manner in our own lives. If you need a little inspiration in that direction, check out “Lou Colombo movie by Jon Hammond” on YouTube…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkqBaFIAXn4
Folks, something told me I had better get on down to see my main man Lou Colombo last week
in Fort Myers FL, I played on Lou's band for 2.5 years in Cape Cod at the Wychmere Harbor Club
and Thompson's Clam Bar in Harwich Port MA. It was an important time of my life and career and
he was always very generous to me, kept me on my toes throwing tunes at me in all keys the music
never stopped once we hit.
I just saw Lou a few days ago in Fort Myers FL at the gig he was playing at his Daughter Sherri's restaurant
and hub Marc Neeley - Roadhouse Cafe, he was at the top of his game, playing great as ever and looking like a
million dollars. I am deeply saddened to receive terrible tragic news this morning from Lou's fine trombonist
Nelson E. Foucht that Lou was tragically killed last night just 4 blocks from Roadhouse Cafe coming home from the
gig. My deepest condolences to the Colombo Family, Lou's Wife Noel, daughters Lori, Sherri, David all his 6 kids, extended
Family of friends and musicians. I am totally blown away, thankful that I had the opportunity to know him and play with
him nightly back in the 70's and then to see and hear him again at the end of his life, thanks Lou!
Here are some photos from just a few days taken by my long-time great girlfriend Jennifer and myself at his gig,
R.I.P. Big Lou - Louis Colombo the greatest trumpet player bandleader baseball slugger and golfer ever!
I used to go with Lou to the golf course where he had the snack concession in Yarmouth just to watch him drive
balls in to outer space. I couldn't believe how far and hard he could hit the ball. Lou would put on black
executioner gloves and hit the ball and it would disappear, just keep on sailing in to the sky like Lou's spirit
must be now. His music and great memories will live on forever.
Sincerely,
Jon Hammond - Member AFM Local 802 and Local 6 Musicians Union
*Note: Lou's band the other night at Roadhouse Cafe were so great, I'm so sorry cats:
Nelson Foucht on trombone, F.L. "Woody" Brubaker piano and keyboard bass, Richard Iannuzzi drums and Gil DiBenedetto tenor saxophone and clarinet.
Jon Hammond and Lou Colombo
**Note: Lou Colombo and my neighbor Leo Ball (R.I.P.) also a fine trumpet player member of Local 802 were born on the same day in Brockton MA
*Note: Lou called me on my cell phone when I was at the airport just about to fly out of Tampa TPA Airport, he told me he really dug
my album that I had given him "NDR SESSIONS Projekt" my first record of mostly standards, it was inspired much by him actually. Lou
was talking about the horn players on it, Lutz Buechner and Joe "Jo" Gallardo, he really dug them and he told me we were going to do
something back up in the Cape for sure. I was very touched by his call and he had called me on my previous birthday last year, I got
all choked up when he told me that. Thanks a million Lou!
Jon
*WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Lou Colombo Movie by Jon Hammondhttp://www.archive.org/details/JonHammondLouColomboMoviebyJonHammond
1978 Photo of Lou Colombo Band with Jon Hammond on B3 organ House Band at private club Wychmere Harbor Club in Harwich Port Cape Cod MA
L to R: Frank Shea drums, Lou Colombo trumpet, Jack Pena guitar, Jon Hammond B3 organ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkqBaFIAXn4
Jon Hammond here...I just came back from visiting my main man Lou Colombo the great trumpet player bandleader and former Pro Baseball player in Fort Myers Florida. I played on Lou's band for 2.5 years in the late 70's in house band at the Wychmere Harbor Club in Cape Cod. Lou is going strong happy to report, playing regularly at the restaurant of his daughter Sherri and son inlaw Marc Neeley - Roadhouse Cafe during winter months and in the summer he plays at his son David's Roadhouse Cafe in Hyannis MA on Cape Cod. I schlepped my Hammond Sk1 organ all the way down there in hopes I could sit in with Lou for a couple of tunes but unfortunately that wasn't possible, however I shot some video of Lou and his fine group, so enjoy the music and personality of Lou Colombo, one of the all-time greats on his instrument!
The musicians on Lou's band here at Roadhouse Cafe are Nelson Foucht on trombone, F.L. "Woody" Brubaker piano and keyboard bass, Richard Iannuzzi drums and Gil DiBenedetto tenor saxophone and clarinet.
Plus a little bit of flashback audio from our gig in 1978 near the end some photos, old and new from just a few days ago. Enjoy folks! sincerely, Jon Hammond
*Note: Some Baseball Stats for Louis Colombo as a player - he played pro baseball until breaking ankle at age 24 -
Louis Colombo:
1953 Newport News Dodgers Statistics -- Minor Leagues - Baseball ...
www.baseball-reference.com › Minor Leagues › Teams
Affiliation: Brooklyn Dodgers-NL Manager: ... 6, Louis Colombo*, 26, 123, 432, 134, 20, 1, 4 .310 .389, 168. 7,
1945 Brooklyn Dodgers Minor League Affiliations - Baseball ...
www.baseball-reference.com › Minor Leagues › Affiliates
1945 Brooklyn Dodgers Minor League Affiliates. Other Years: 1944 ..... 49, Louis Colombo*, 18, NNW, B, 56, 213, 66, 12, 2, 3 .310 .427, 91. 50,
Lou's band in front of Roadhouse Cafe Fort Myers FL
L to R: F.L. "Woody" Brubaker piano and keyboard bass, Gil DiBenedetto tenor saxophone and clarinet, Lou Colombo trumpet vocals, Nelson Foucht trombone, Richard Iannuzzi drums - photo by Jon Hammond
Lou Colombo, Trumpet, Jazz, Roadhouse Cafe, Fort Myers FL, Brooklyn Dodgers, 1978, Wychmere Harbor Club, Local 802 Musicians Union,Losing, and keeping, Make Someone Happy, Barnstable Patriot, YouTube
What would be Musik Messe without the Warm Up Party hosted by Jon Hammond band at Jazzkeller?
Once again we're very happy to invite everybody to Jazzkeller - the very beautiful full of music and history club in Frankfurt am Main where Jon Hammond will be playing together with Tony Lakatos on P. Mauriat saxophones, Joe Berger on guitar and Giovanni Gulino on drums.
It will be the unforgettable and very special night for Jon. He will be celebrating his 59th birthday, so hope to see you there.
Additionally, Jon will be playing with his band and with Peter Klohmann (sax) on 23rd Mar in Jazzkeller- Hofheim (about 20min by train from Musik Messe).
For more information please visit the website below.
Last month we were very happy to invite you for James Carter's Master class that were sponsored by P.Mauriat and Mariachi shop in Moscow, Russia. It was an incredible event and amazing time for all the online and live participants... read more »
Catch exciting concerts in Boston this March! Marco Pignataro is going to give performances together with such as artists as Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, George Garzone, Dave Liebman, David Gilmore, Laszlo Gardony and many others... read more »
From 28th to 31st of March in Morelia, Mexico will be held a great event, the Jazztival Michoacan 2012 . The special guest of this event will be PM Artist Greg Osby!
The Michoacán Jazz Festival has been... read more »
P.Mauriat, Alex Hsieh, Albest, Saxphones, Tony Lakatos, Jon Hammond, Agnieszka Obrebska, Music, Suzuki, Sk1, Sk2, Jazzkeller, Warm Up Party, Musikmesse, Frankfurt, Jazz, Blues, Funky, Excelsior Accordion, Taipei, Superlux, Sennheiser, TecAmp, Bag End, NAMM
Lou On Blip TV: Lou Colombo Movie on Blip TV by Jon Hammond
Jon Hammond here...I just came back from visiting my main man Lou Colombo the great trumpet player bandleader and former Pro Baseball player in Fort Myers Florida. I played on Lou's band for 2.5 years in the late 70's in house band at the Wychmere Harbor Club in Cape Cod. Lou is going strong happy to report, playing regularly at the restaurant of his daughter Sherri and son inlaw Marc Neeley - Roadhouse Cafe during winter months and in the summer he plays at his son David's Roadhouse Cafe in Hyannis MA on Cape Cod. I schlepped my Hammond Sk1 organ all the way down there in hopes I could sit in with Lou for a couple of tunes but unfortunately that wasn't possible, however I shot some video of Lou and his fine group, so enjoy the music and personality of Lou Colombo, one of the all-time greats on his instrument! The musicians on Lou's band here at Roadhouse Cafe are Nelson Foucht on trombone, F.L. "Woody" Brubaker piano and keyboard bass, Richard Iannuzzi drums and Gil DiBenedetto tenor saxophone and clarinet. Plus a little bit of flashback audio from our gig in 1978 near the end some photos, old and new from just a few days ago. Enjoy folks! sincerely, Jon Hammond *Member Local 802 and Local 6 Musicans Union, a HammondCast http://www.HammondCast.com
On YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkqBaFIAXn4
*WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Lou Colombo Movie by Jon Hammondhttp://www.archive.org/details/JonHammondLouColomboMoviebyJonHammond
Lou Colombo and Jon Hammond - 02/23/2012
1978 Photo of Lou Colombo Band with Jon Hammond on B3 organ House Band at private club Wychmere Harbor Club in Harwich Port Cape Cod MA
L to R: Frank Shea drums, Lou Colombo trumpet, Jack Pena guitar, Jon Hammond B3 organ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkqBaFIAXn4
Jon Hammond here...I just came back from visiting my main man Lou Colombo the great trumpet player bandleader and former Pro Baseball player in Fort Myers Florida. I played on Lou's band for 2.5 years in the late 70's in house band at the Wychmere Harbor Club in Cape Cod. Lou is going strong happy to report, playing regularly at the restaurant of his daughter Sherri and son inlaw Marc Neeley - Roadhouse Cafe during winter months and in the summer he plays at his son David's Roadhouse Cafe in Hyannis MA on Cape Cod. I schlepped my Hammond Sk1 organ all the way down there in hopes I could sit in with Lou for a couple of tunes but unfortunately that wasn't possible, however I shot some video of Lou and his fine group, so enjoy the music and personality of Lou Colombo, one of the all-time greats on his instrument!
The musicians on Lou's band here at Roadhouse Cafe are Nelson Foucht on trombone, F.L. "Woody" Brubaker piano and keyboard bass, Richard Iannuzzi drums and Gil DiBenedetto tenor saxophone and clarinet.
Plus a little bit of flashback audio from our gig in 1978 near the end some photos, old and new from just a few days ago. Enjoy folks! sincerely, Jon Hammond
*Note: Some Baseball Stats for Louis Colombo as a player - he played pro baseball until breaking ankle at age 24 -
Louis Colombo:
1953 Newport News Dodgers Statistics -- Minor Leagues - Baseball ...
www.baseball-reference.com › Minor Leagues › Teams
Affiliation: Brooklyn Dodgers-NL Manager: ... 6, Louis Colombo*, 26, 123, 432, 134, 20, 1, 4 .310 .389, 168. 7,
1945 Brooklyn Dodgers Minor League Affiliations - Baseball ...
www.baseball-reference.com › Minor Leagues › Affiliates
1945 Brooklyn Dodgers Minor League Affiliates. Other Years: 1944 ..... 49, Louis Colombo*, 18, NNW, B, 56, 213, 66, 12, 2, 3 .310 .427, 91. 50,
*Member Local 802 and Local 6 Musicans Union, a HammondCast http://www.HammondCast.comhttp://vimeo.com/37842424
This is my Hammond Sk1 Organ in GKPE-49-TSA Gator Flight Case after I finally got it back from Newark EWR Airport after flying with it to Fort Myers from San Francisco, then taking it to Lou's gig at Roadhouse Cafe, flying to JFK but my organ went to Newark by mistake. It was supposed to be delivered but they never even left the airport with it, so I took a bus ride back out to New Jersey from Times Square and picked it up personally. You can see the big INSPECTED sticker that TSA plastered of my American Federation of Musicians Union sticker. 2 days later I flew with it to San Francisco for a gig and that's where I am now with my Sk1 Hammond Organ.
Lou's band in front of Roadhouse Cafe Fort Myers FL
L to R: F.L. "Woody" Brubaker piano and keyboard bass, Gil DiBenedetto tenor saxophone and clarinet, Lou Colombo trumpet vocals, Nelson Foucht trombone, Richard Iannuzzi drums - photo by Jon Hammond
Lou Colombo, Trumpet, Jazz, Roadhouse Cafe, Fort Myers FL, Brooklyn Dodgers, 1978, Wychmere Harbor Club, Local 802 Musicians Union
**Note: Lou Colombo and my neighbor Leo Ball (R.I.P.) also a fine trumpet player member of Local 802 were born on the same day in Brockton MA
Lou Colombo on trumpet at the Wychmere Harbor Club. Photo used with the permission of Jon Hammond, organ on the right.Lou Colombo—Mr. Jazz on Cape Cod was killed Saturday night while exiting the parking lot at The Roadhouse Café on San Carlos Blvd. in Fort Myers, Florida.
The Musical Director at The Roadhouse Café, Richie Iannuzzi, said that Lou had just played a set before leaving to meet his wife, Noel. In addition to playing at The Roadhouse Café in Fort Myers, Lou also played at Pa Degennaro’s in Ft. Lauderdale.
The Roadhouse Café in Fort Myers is owned by Sherri Colombo and her husband Marc Neeley. It is a sister-club to the Roadhouse Café on South Street in Hyannis, Massachusetts, which is owned by David Colombo, Lou’s son, who is also the owner of Colombo’s on Main Street in Hyannis and The Black Cat Restaurant at Hyannis Harbor.
Reporting on Lou’s death saddens me greatly. Strangely enough, this very evening—Sunday—I was editing videotape of the last time I worked with Lou at Colombo’s. The video will be in an up-coming Dave Rojay Show on Channel 17, Saturday night at 9:30.
The only thing that can be said about Lou is that he was a great guy, a great friend, and a great trumpet player. He played holding his trumpet up with his right hand and blowing out of the right side of his mouth. As a trumpet player myself, I know how difficult this is; but Lou played with ease. He knew all the standards ever written and played them with great feeling and a beautiful tone and he had a tremendous rapport with his audience—a faithful long-running audience that loved him, truly.
I have so many memories of working with Lou going back many years in the past. He has appeared in several of my TV programs and he was often at Channel 17 recording for Ivy Sinclair, a producer of jazz television.
A couple of years ago, I played with Lou at the Roadhouse Café. Footage of this will also be in the up-coming Dave Rojay Show. Lou told me at the time that he was 82 years old and when I considered the strength and vitality of his playing, I was amazed.
As I type this, I am in a state of shock. A cremation for Lou is scheduled for Wednesday or Thursday in Florida with a Memorial Service to follow later on Cape Cod. My wife and I send our condolences to the entire Colombo family.
The last time I talked to Lou, we talked about a group picture of Cape Cod jazz artists scheduled for April. This photo shoot organized by jazz drummer, Bart Weisman, was to duplicate the famous photo from the past of renowned jazz artists on the steps of a brownstone in New York. No photo of the jazz artists of Cape Cod will be complete without Lou Colombo in the center.
David Rojay
______________________________________________________________________________
Be sure to watch David Rojay on The Dave Rojay Show each Saturday night at 9:30 on Channel 17. Read A RED STATE HERO and THE LONG BRIDGE RUNNER—current chapter The Panther by David Rojay on capecodtoday.com and finally check out David Rojay on YOUTUBE. For more information, Google "David Rojay".
JON HAMMOND
Instruments: Organ, Accordion, Piano, Guitar
Attended: Berklee College of Music 1974
Languages: English, German
*Jon is currently Host of daily CBS radio program HammondCast on KYOU & KYCY 1550 AM, 7 days a week at 4AM PST.
Jon Hammond Intro:
Instruments: Organ, Accordion, Piano, Guitar
Attended: Berklee College of Music 1974, City College San Francisco
Languages: English, German
Jon is closely identified with the two main products of his career, the Excelsior Accordion and the Hammond Organ.
Lou Colombo on trumpet at the Wychmere Harbor Club. Photo used with the permission of Jon Hammond, organ on the right.
