[Tradjazz] Death of Aussie Jazzman

[trevor rippingale]

Dear OKOM list members,
            Tom Wood, jazz pianist and leader of the Sydney New Zenith New Orleans Band was honored at his jazz funeral today by large numbers if his friends and relatives...probably a few hundred.  Tom has led his Zenith Band for over 30 years in Australia and before that led bands in Scotland, land of his birth. He toured Europe and the UK many times over several decades with his dedicated New Orleans style group.
         The funeral service, which  was held in the historic St Thomas's Anglican Church, North Sydney featured some of Sydney's finest traditional jazz men (Paul Furniss(clarinet), Mike Hallam(cornet), Jack Wiard(clarinet) and blues singer Carole Ralph as well as Tom's daughter playing beautiful flute (Pacabel's Canon) accompanied by the one-time New Wolverines' pianist, classical organist Robert Smith. 
         A unique side-aspect of this inspiring service, was the attendance of Tom's one-time next-door neighbours, the Prime Minister Of Australia, the Rt. Hon. John Howard O.A., and his wife Jeanette. This is certainly unique in Australia's jazz history, and a wonderful tribute to Tom. I don't suppose there can be too many other instances of a Head of State attending a New Orleans jazzman's funeral service, can there?
                                Trevor Rippingale 
                                  (Co-ordinator, New Wolverine Jazz Orchestra)
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