You read here about Milwaukee's living jazz legend, pianist Claude Dorsey, celebrating his 96th birthday in January. Sadly, we received word today that Dorsey died last night.
The news came in an e-mail from his former manager Barbara Wagner, who wrote:
"Dear friends and fans of Claude Dorsey,
"Milwaukee, and the music world, has lost a wonderful man, a gifted musician and and a man who truly was, a jazz legend.
Claude Dorsey passed away peacefully last night, at the hospital, at the age of 96. Few people are as accomplished as Claude was, leaving behind a huge legacy, both musically and personally. Attached is a photo I took in Jan. at his 96th birthday celebration.
He will be missed."
Visitation is at Lake Park Lutheran Church Park and Stowell, Monday, March 8 from 4 until 7 p.m. The funeral follows.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
