Tony Reedus (1959 - 2008)

The first time I saw Reedus play he was filling in for an ailing Art Blakey in the last edition of the Messengers.  I later heard him with Benny Golson (in a great quartet with Kevin Hays) and Mulgrew Miller. It has been awhile; it was actually in the back of my mind to hear what he was up to these days. 

He knew the real jazz drums.  A bona fide classic of his circle is Introducing Kenny Garrett, which shows both Miller and Reedus in their best light.

The obit says he "had collapsed at John F. Kennedy International Airport after getting off an American Airlines flight from Bologna, Italy, where he had been performing with Mike LeDonne. He was 49."  

Sobering news:  how many times have we tiredly gotten off a plane and didn't feel that great?  Sincere condolences to Reedus's family.