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October 23, 2006
Please join us!
EID CELEBRATION / TRIBUTE TO NUR ABDULLAH (JIMMY VASS)
Friday October 27th, 2006 at the University of the Streets, hosted by Mohammed and Saadia Salahudeen
Dinner will be at 8 PM, music will continue on into jam session time.
University of the Streets
130 East 7th Street at Avenue A, 2nd Floor
Take the F to 2nd Avenue or the 6 to Astor Place
Also:
Reggie Workman is dedicating the SCULPTURED SOUNDS FESTIVAL to Jimmy. It will be held on every Sunday in February ’07 at St. Peter’s Church, with a preview concert on Sunday, December 10th, ’06, also at St. Peter’s. Suggested Donation is $20; discount available for students and seniors. For more info, see www.sculpturedsounds.com.
October 3, 2006
The family and I would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all who attended
Jimmy's funeral and who attended and participated in the memorial celebration
of Jimmy's life & music.
Both events were beautiful - "Reflections" of a beautiful
soul.
September 30, 2006, 12:21 AM
REMINDER: Today, Saturday September 30th we will celebrate the LIFE,
MUSIC and MEMORY of Jimmy Vass (Nur Abdullah).
Time & Place: We will start at 4 PM at the University of the Streets,
130 East 7th Street, (Avenue A) Second Floor.
September 26, 2006
PLEASE NOTE: If you received the earlier email about the funeral
- the 9:00 AM Viewing will NOT take place. The funeral will begin at
10:00 AM (at the address posted below).
JV3 has kindly given me permission to post the following:
James Henry Vass Jr. was born
to the late James H. Vass Sr. and the late Beaulah Vass on March 31,
1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As one of four children, Jimmy, as he was affectionately called by
family and friends, was raised in North Philadelphia, and attended
the city’s public school system.
At the age of 12, Jimmy’s God given talent led him to a fascination
with music. Years later, his mother would write, “When he was
eighteen he got his first job. He saved his money. He bought his first
tenor saxophone, and has been pursuing his dreams…”
In 1960, Jimmy met Angie Hudson, and in 1961, Jimmy and Angie were
married, and were blessed with the birth of two sons, James III born
in 1962, and Norvel in born 1963.
Also in 1963, the family moved to New York City. During this time,
he worked various jobs to support his family while pursuing his career
as a jazz musician. Jimmy remained in New York for the next 43 years
honing his skills and technical expertise. As a result, he grew from
being a musician to being a true artist. His list of associations
and credits reads like a who’s who in jazz. Jimmy’s life
is a reflection and a milestone in the history of the music he loved.
Jimmy not only loved music, but more importantly loved God. He became
a follower of Islam. Inspired by and the attributes and the 99 Beautiful
Names of Allah, Jimmy assumed the name Nur Abdullah. Nur meaning “The
Light,” and Abdullah meaning “servant of God.”
Jimmy will be greatly missed by his two sons; two daughters-in-law,
Pam and Kim; seven grandchildren, Kia, Christopher, Mahdiah, Arrianne,
Mahdiya, Namir, and Kandice; one great-grandchild, India; brother,
Warren; a host of nieces, and nephews; his loving companion Lea Kobayashi,
and an abundance of friends and associates.
Lovingly Submitted,The Vass Family
September 25, 2006
JIMMY VASS Funeral
Thursday, September 28th
G. Choice Funeral Chapel,
2530 N. Broad St, Phila., PA
(215) 227-0100
Time: 10:00 am
The MEMORIAL for JIMMY VASS:
Saturday, September 30th
4PM Until ~
At the University of the Streets
130 East 7th Street (at Avenue A)
Take the #6 to Astor Place or the F to 2nd Avenue
The mailing list is currently disabled, so if you signed it in
the last couple days, please just resend your info to jimmy@jimmyvass.com.
September 24, 2006, 12:15 AM
JV3 (that's James Vass III, Jimmy's son) and I have decided to
use this site as a blog of sorts, so please continue to check back as
to the status of the arrangements.
Right now, we know that there will be a Muslim funeral in Philadelphia,
and a memorial service in New York. We do not know the details yet,
but will soon. I'll send emails to everyone whose address I have (please
email me your info if I don't
have it), will call as many people as possible, and will update this
site as soon as we have the details.
Thank you all for your love and support!
September 23, 2006
Dear Friends,
Jimmy peacefully left this life sometime on the night between September
20th and 21st 2006. The arrangements are in the works, and we definitely
will have a celebration of Jimmy's life and music - details to follow!
I can't really write much more right now. To say he will be missed,
just sounds like a complete understatement.
Jimmy was a tremendous musician, and a wonderful artist, but more
than that, he was the most beautiful human being I've ever met.
As Jimmy used to say: "You ARE your music."
With Peace & Love,
Lea (Jimmy's "other half")
"The best witness to God's Truth are those who
show its Light in their Lives."
Jimmy Vass is a jazz alto
saxophonist and flautist, originally from Philadelphia, who is now living
and working in New York. He has performed, toured, and recorded
with Charles Mingus, Andrew Hill, Lionel Hampton, Milt Buckner, Woody
Shaw, and Clarence "C" Sharpe, among others.
Jimmy is currently leading his own band, performing original and standard
material. He regularly appears at venues in the New York City area. To
catch Jimmy in action, get on his
mailing list. Some performances will also be
posted on this site.
Jimmy is available for gigs, tours, concerts, and events. His experience
and versatility as an artist and performer are wide-ranging.
Find out more.
Jimmy teaches at both the individual and classroom
level. Rather than superimposing knowledge, Jimmy believes in the teaching
process as a means to guide and develop the student's own musical voice.
Music is Life. Jimmy draws his musical inspiration
from many sources. He considers music to be the expression and reflection
of one's inner self.
Contact Jimmy at: jimmy@jimmyvass.com.
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