Jazz & Blues Lose Two Music Legends

jazz, blues, music obituaries

Eugene Amaro
1936 – 2010

Canadian Jazz Legend Eugene Amaro Dies

Eugene Amaro, saxophonist, bandleader and Canadian jazz legend, has died on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at the age of 74.


Leader of his Eugene Amaro Quartet, co-leader of the Sam Noto/Eugene Amaro Quintet, and long-time member of Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass, Eugene Amaro was highly regarded among his peers as an impeccable, hard-swinging player.

Among his many illustrious performances, Amaro performed with the Ron Rully Sextet and Ian McDougall Dectet for Toronto’s ‘Sound of Toronto Jazz’ concert series.

In memoriam donations may be made to Humber College Jazz Studies Scholarship Fund in Amaro’s memory.

Marva Wright
1948 – 2010

New Orlean’s “Queen of the Blues Dies

Louisiana blues singer Marva Wright has died at the age of 62 on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010, in New Orleans. Wright is reported as having succumbed after suffering two strokes over the past year.

Marva Wright, known as the ‘Blues Queen of New Orleans’ for her blues, jazz and gospel performances, was loved by fans around the globe, with Wright and her band the BMWs frequently performing at blues festivals in Europe and across North America.

Wright, who began singing professionally in 1987, released her first album, Heartbreakin’ Woman, in 1991. The album captured the Blues Album of the Year award from the Louisiana Music Critics Association.

Born March 20, 1948, in New Orleans, Marva Wright was heavily influenced by Gospellegend Mahalia Jackson, who was a longtime family friend.