The passing of a legend

It is with incredible sadness that I write here about the passing of my long time friend and fellow musician Hiram Bullock. I'm devastated by this news as he has been one of the greatest influences on me as both a musician and a human being. We first met in Boston about 9 years ago to play a trio concert with Kenwood Dennard, and some of the things he said to me that night have stayed in the forefront of my mind ever since. I'll never forget him turning up to the hit about 20 minutes before we were due to play with a list of tunes. He handed me this piece of paper and said "you know all this stuff right?". I nodded and said yes, not knowing about 60% of the tunes on the list. I ran to the Berklee music library and checked out as much of it as I could before we played, and hung on for dear life through the show. Not something you ever forget. 

Other musical situations we found ourselves in included an incredible week at the Blue Note in New York city playing totally free music in a trio with Airto Moreira, and also a week at sweet basil some years back with Kenwood, Randy Brecker, Lew Solof, Chris Hunter, and more incredible musicians stopping by than I can remember. Hiram opened up doors for me that I never knew existed. Not just by the kinds of people I got to play with as a result of working with him, but also by his endless knowledge of music. I remember thinking how heavy it was at the time playing with Kenwood and Hiram, but it's really apparent almost ten years later how much that helped my development as a player. 

The loss of this giant, comedic, and beautiful person hasn't quite sunk in yet, and I'm sure as it does I will find so many more things to talk about this incredible persons life. He touched me musically and spiritually unlike almost anyone I've ever met. Seeing his number on my caller id whether it was for a hang or a gig was always something that brought a smile. A close friend of mine sent me this message today: "I'd like to think he'll always be looking over your shoulder from this point on saying...'keep burning, young gun!'"......  

I would like to think he'll be looking over all of us with that big smile and laugh of his being as encouraging as he always was. YAOOWWWWW!!

He was a gentle giant of the guitar and I, as I'm sure all his friends, will miss him every day. 

Peace, 

Janek