RIP Joey DeFrancesco at 51

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 26 Aug 2022 7:16 am

What a sad day to learn that Joey passed away yesterday at 51. The Philly jazz giant was one of those rare talents from such a young age, playing on countless incredible records as a leader, co-leader and sideman. He was also a trumpeter and vocalist. Terrible loss.

One of my favorite recordings of his was the tribute to John Coltrane with JohnMcLaughlin and Elvin Jones, After The Rain. A masterpiece in my opinion. He also made a record with the great Danny Gatton.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 26 Aug 2022 7:39 am

Sorry to hear it. I was kind of late to the party, first hearing him on NPR in the early 90s.

I did not know about his expertise on the horns etc., but I'm a huge fan of the Hammond and his playing blew me away. May he rest in peace.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 26 Aug 2022 10:39 am

What?!! Terrible news. I listen to him daily. Perhaps the greatest all-around musician of his generation. The absolute master of the B3, not just chops but soul to the n[sup]th[/sup] degree. RIP Joey D.

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 26 Aug 2022 11:39 am

Very sad; a shocker. Man, what a master he was...

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 26 Aug 2022 1:05 pm

Yeah, really sad. He took it to a new level.

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 26 Aug 2022 2:27 pm

So sad Mike , I have a lot of his records and always like his Danny Gatton stuff, can't believe he was that young, such a bummer.

RIP Joey!

https://www.npr.org/2022/08/26/11195606 ... dies-at-51

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 27 Aug 2022 3:15 am

So sad to hear. He was a dynamo. I caught a live gig years ago where Joey went had to head with Jack McDuff on dueling B3s. It was a memorable night! And once, 20+ years ago, I was browsing CDs in a Boston store and glanced at the big guy next to me browsing the jazz section …. Yep, Joey D. RIP to a soulful master gone too soon.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 27 Aug 2022 4:45 am

As a Philly guy, I've had the pleasure to catch Joey D. around town several times, most memorably in a small jazz club (Chris's) together with Pat Martino. O.M.G. And now they're both gone. We're only on this planet for a brief instant in time. How fortunate we are to have shared that slice of time with Joey & Pat. Remember to tell the ones you love how important they are to you. That is all.

Jack Stanton · Post by **Jack Stanton** » 27 Aug 2022 6:07 am

Unbelievable. Such a monster player and a Philly legend.

Brooks Montgomery · Post by **Brooks Montgomery** » 27 Aug 2022 6:17 am

That Trio youtube vid in the NPR article is soooo good.
Man, what an artist.
R. I. P.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 27 Aug 2022 12:23 pm

I spent my first 22 years of life as a Philadelphian. There's something in the water that produces great jazz organists.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 27 Aug 2022 12:30 pm

Andy Volk wrote:I spent my first 22 years of life as a Philadelphian. There's something in the water that produces great jazz organists.

AND great jazz guitarists too!

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 28 Aug 2022 9:48 am

What about those great steel players too, like yourself and Lucky O!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 28 Aug 2022 10:01 am

Craig Stock wrote:What about those great steel players too, like yourself and Lucky O!

Well I'm originally from New York, but Winnie Winston was from Philly. Anyway, sorry for the detour; back to Joey D. ...

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 29 Aug 2022 8:18 am

This is sad news, really. But for me, not totally unexpected. Many years ago, I asked a friend who played keyboards for us (Denny Jackson) who was the hottest B3 player around. I told him I was a fan of Jimmy Smith, and he recommended I get a couple of Joey's CD's. (This was back when Joey might easily be mistaken for a young Billy Joel.) Man, I was totally blown away by his chops! His blistering runs and scales were nothing short of incredible. He was a jazz phenom, and the undisputed king of the B3. (He also had great chops on trumpet and sax.) He was here in Baltimore last year, and unfortunately, I missed him.

Great player, with a legacy that will go on forever.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 30 Aug 2022 12:57 pm

I dearly love the B3 and Joey was the undisputed master. I found his material back in the late 80s or early 90s and was an instant fan. When YouTube came about it's been a heaven sent format for jazz concerts and music in general. I sing the praises of Joey and Pat Martino and so many more of Joey's collaboration with other jazz artists. We truly lost a fine musician and torch bearing B3 phenomenon.