Posted: 05/29/2012
By John Wenzel
The Denver Post

Jerry Krantz, the longtime owner of landmark Denver jazz club El Chapultepec, died Tuesday morning. He was 77.

In its heyday, El Chapultepec welcomed music legends such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as visiting rock stars like Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger. Krantz’s insistence on free, live, straight-ahead jazz every night of the week helped the ‘Pec — as insiders affectionately call it — stand out on the corner of 20th and Market Streets.

Even President Bill Clinton played his tenor sax on stage there.
Read On

Dr. Wesley Verne Blomster died October 1, 2011 of prostate cancer. Wes had a distinguished career as a German professor at the University of Colorado and as a local and international music critic. As a child of the Great Depression, Wes lived the American Dream and left a legacy of students and a love and passion for music, literature, and the arts that has no equal. Wes is survived by his brother Dwayn Blomster, his son Thomas and daughter in law Nikki Tsuchiya, and Wesley’s divorced wife Adelheid Blomster. Wes requested that memorial contributions be made to his son Thomas’ orchestra:
Colorado Chamber Orchestra
1820 Race Street
Denver, CO 80206-1116
Condolences may be mailed to Thomas at the same address above (1820 Race St).
Plans are being made by the family for a concert next year celebrating Wes.
“I’m proud to say that I knew your father for all of my years as a DMA officer. Wes was one of the few who would “stand up’ for the arts community, and also in a literal sense when he would rise up and be heard at public meetings. He strongly asserted that the arts truly must be there for the community, or don’t bother.
I say with admiration that Wes Blomster saw the arts as we do, but I suddenly realize the opposite: We are who we are because of him.
To a great man.”
Pete Vriesenga, President, Denver Musicians Association, Local 20-623
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It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the death of Miss Lillian Covillo. Together, with lifelong friend and business partner Freidann Parker, Miss Covillo co-founded one of Denver’s oldest and most established arts organizations, Colorado Ballet. She died peacefully at the age 89.

When Will Schwarz stepped down as Music Director of the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra in 1999 he quipped: “I think 50 years is long enough”. Maestro Schwarz always had a quick wit and sharp intellect, and this tongue-in-cheek comment was typical of him.

Maestro Schwartz joined the music faculty at CSU in 1949 after serving in the military and touring as a solo violinist. He felt that Fort Collins would be a good place to raise a family and immediately took over the reins of the Fort Collins Symphony.

Richard Edward Geertz died at his home in Boulder on July 17, 2010. He was 65. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Boulder on Friday, August 27 at 5:30pm. Burial will be at 10:00am Saturday, August 28 at Sacred Heart of Mary cemetery. He is survived by his wife of 36 years Mary Jungerman and two daughters, Lois Kathryn Geertz and Clara Elizabeth Geertz, a brother John Geertz-Larson and two sisters, Wendy Geertz and Kathryn Schopp. Read On

As most of you now know, Jason Johnston’s baby son, Owen, passed away on Monday, February 1st. A memorial service is being held this Friday. Here are the details from Michelle Shah…

Harland Jensen, father of JSG Music Director Tom Jensen, passed away on Friday, June 12. Harland Jensen was an ardent supporter of the arts. He was a big supporter of classical music and was especially proud of the Junior Symphony Guild and the “Inside the Orchestra” programs.

In lieu of flowers or cards, the family asks that you make a contribution to the Harland Jensen Memorial JSG Fund

Tasso Harris, president of the Denver Musicians Association from 1974 to 1988, passed away Saturday, May 21, following a serious stroke a few weeks earlier. Tasso has been a Life Member of Local 20-623 since 1951 and also a Life Member of Los Angeles Local 47 since 1947. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him, and we offer our condolences and heartfelt support to Mrs. Lillian Harris and family during this difficult time.
Visitation Thursday (5/26), 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Funeral Service Friday (5/27), 10:30 AM, both at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Interment Fort Logan National Cemetery.