Occupy Forest Lawn

On Wednesday of this week, I attended a luncheon of ASMAC, the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers. One of the speakers happened to mention the name Oscar Rabin. Rabin was an English bandleader popular in the years between the wars and is probably best remembered today for having given vocalist Beryl Davis her springboard to worldwide fame.

So, of course, the moment Rabin's name came up I thought about Beryl. Until entering assisted living, Beryl had been a devoted supporter of the Big Band Academy and I hoped she was doing well. Then just yesterday came word that Beryl had died that morning. An odd coincidence.


Here's an obituary prepared by Beryl's family:



Funeral services will take place at 12:30 p.m. next Friday, November 4, at the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. Beryl undoubtedly would be honored by the presence of as many friends from the BBAA as possible.

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Our own John Tumpak returns to Burbank's Joslyn Adult Center on Monday, November 14, with another of his famous audio/video big band presentations. Click the link for more details:

www.burbankbus.org/index.aspx?recordid=3685&page=875 

Keep up the good work, John!