Franz Jackson: Guestbook
Patricia Ames
May 8, 2008
I read the obituary in the Trib today w/ tears in my eyes and joy in my heart. I am so much richer for having heard Franz over the past 25 years. He took time to talk w/ his fans, sign a CD, smile for a photo. Thanks for the memories, Franz.
Stuart Pearson
May 7, 2008
No one gets out of this world alive, but while we're here we should LIVE TO THE FULLEST! I think that Franz did just that in his personal life as well as his musical life. So rther than being sad I'll celebrate the fact that I knew him as a person, and a musician. We first crossed paths in the late 1950's at Stu Cooper's Lincoln Lounge in Joliet, IL. I followed him to the Red Arrow, and dragged lots of my friends along to hear him and the Original Jass All-Stars. While all the other members of that band are long gone I feel certain that they have a warm chair just-a-watin' for Franz. I wonder what song they'll play first?
Tom Macek/WRRG-FM
May 7, 2008
I too feel deep sadness at Franz's passing, but rejoicing in all the great music he gave Chicago jazz fans down through the years. As host of a jazz program on WRRG, I had the pleasure of interviewing Franz a few times, and I always found him to be a wonderfully upbeat and congenial human being. To say he'll be missed is a giant understatement
Matt W. and Stacy A. Jordan
May 7, 2008
We are deeply saddened by the news of Franz's passing; however, we celebrate his life and his music and are forever grateful to have known this wonderful man. We offer our sincere sympathies to his family. My wife and I were honored to have Franz perform at our wedding 2 and a half years ago. We always enjoyed going to see Franz's performances at the Woodfire. Franz, you will be missed!
Maha Martinez
December 25, 2007
Truly, Happy Birthday.
I had a front row seat to you for a couple of years at the Rib Exchange in Hoffman Estates back in the late 80's. My father, Rosendo was a cook there before they closed. I'm 34 now and hoping my father and I can see you play once again.
regards,
Maha Martinez
yves francois
December 25, 2007
merry christmas Franz (and your family), the greatest pleasure this year was to see you and play with you again, may you have a very happy new year as well (sounded great on dec the 7th), see you soon, your friend Yves (my mother and family say joyeaux noel as well)
Jim Thoma
November 28, 2007
Happy Birthday Franz. We enjoyed
your performances many,many times
at Braxton's with Jim Beebe, Judi
K and the other guys. Keep it up!
Jim and Mona
Chuck Swinford
November 22, 2007
I had the pleasure of working with Franz on several occasions back in the 70's.
He played with our jazz group at the "Hartman House" in Winnetka and worked several private gigs in the nort shore area.
He probably won't remember me but I will always have fond memories of playing along side him.
I still have some sheets with the words and chords that he charted for me. Happy birthday to the real Dr.Jazz from a once was banjo player.
Polly Judd
November 6, 2007
Michelle, you did a fantastic job of putting together a great 95th birthday party for not only your father but for all of us who had the privilege of hearing and enjoying the wonderful jazz Sunday at the Dowagiac Performing Arts Center. I know he is very proud of you. Keep on Keepin' on, Franz.
Matt W. and Stacy A. Jordan
November 5, 2007
Franz,
We very much enjoyed your Birthday Celebration at the Performing Arts Center in Dowagiac on Sunday. My wife and I still fondly think of your performance at our wedding reception at the Midwest Museum of American Art in Elkhart, IN on September 23, 2006. You were the highlight of our wedding! What a wonderful world!
Thanks
Stuart Pearson
November 3, 2007
BELATED HAPPY 95TH BIRTHDAY WISHES TO A MAN WHO SEZ; "I IS WHO I IS!" I agree with that statement, and am HAPPY that you are; 'KEEPIN ON--KEEPIN' ON!"
BEST WISHES TO YOU ALWAYS!
yves francois
November 2, 2007
happy birthday to the greatest living jazz musician, my family sends you wishes for another 95 and i will see you this weekend, thank you very much, yves francois
Paul Robertz
October 22, 2007
Dear Mr. Jackson:
You played for my wedding reception at the Lutheran church at 55th & Woodlawn on 7/31/93 in what was supposed to be an vante-garde/blues band hastily assembled by tuba player Aaron Dodd. The bass player and guitar player showed up at the Catholic church across the street, where the organist practicing there told them no wedding was scheduled that day. You had to work harder, with only tuba, drums, and yourself. You ended up leading the whole lawn into a memorable, joyous event. I'd love to meet up with you again, now that I'm a piano player who sometimes performs in public and is no longer an amateur.
Doris and Melbourne (Mel) Garland
September 30, 2007
Your cousin Mel is preparing a statement for your web-site, but I wanted to say what a pleasure it is to have known you although we have only met a couple of times. Your cousin Harold Grady, believe it or not, was a lover of good music, as am I, and sent Mel and I several of your recordings.
You have given many much pleasure when you picked up your horn.
Bob Schmidt
September 22, 2007
I have many fond memories of listening at the Red Arrow and Jazz Ltd. God Bless.
Debbie heer
August 15, 2007
fRANZ,
I have the pleasure of preparing the publicity flyer advertising your September 16th appearance with the Barb City Stompers at the Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz at the Glendora Ballroom. I was happy to see your bio and photos on this great website. Every time I have heard you play and sing has been a fantastic jazz experience!
Ray Barkus
June 21, 2007
I saw you perform at the University of Chicago a few years back as part of a memorial tribute to Jimmy McPartland.
Marion was playing the piano. I was in jazz heaven
Keep on keepin on! Your horn still sounds devine keep on blowin' OK
Catch you at Andy's soon
Peace and love
Ray Barkus
PS What ever happened to Ed Petersen? He's a great Chicago Tenor too Isn't he?
Thanks for all those great years of jazz you are the man!!!
Robin McKendrick
June 20, 2007
Praying to have you play on Friday!!!
Ed Gall
March 14, 2007
I had heard that Franz was alive and well from one of the musicains at a Chicago jazz club recently. I remember hearing Franz play many times at the Red Arrow in Stickney when I was in my early twenties. He is, defintely, a Chicago jazz institution. God Bless you Franz.
Ed GAll
Patti Maas
February 17, 2007
Dear Mr. Jackson,
My husband and I were are your performance Sunday night, February 11, 2007. You and your daughter were so gracious when I talked with you. I really enjoy the CD I bought that night and plan to buy more in the future. You made the evening even more special.
Patti Maas
Rick Sloboda
February 13, 2007
I had the pleasure of meeting Franz when he helped launch the inaugural Canadian Airlines flight from Vancouver to Chicago in 1996.
I was fortunate enough to be exposed to his music, which is indeed timeliess. We've listened to it hundreds of times and now our two-year-old son requests it time and time again.
All the best, Franz...thank you for sharing your heart and soul with the rest of us.
Brad
January 23, 2007
Hi,Franz! How have you been? You know me if you see me,I always speak of Sun Ra and Fletcher Henderson. I hope you are well,and I want to see you play,soon. Let me know next time you are in Chicago.
yves francois smierciak
December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas to Franz from Yves and the family (mom says hello as well, she is a young 81 years old), hope to see you early in 2007
Julio Reyes
November 27, 2006
Hey Franz Happy B-Day. You are a very good jazz musician... Acctually at my school we are doing a project on mass media of early 20th century and i am goijg to use you in one of my short stories...Well got to go Bye
Leo Salais
November 25, 2006
Happy Birthday, Franz.
I'll always remember the gigs at The Rib Exchange in Hoffman Estates back in the 80's!
Keep goin' and blowin'.
God Bless you.
Leo
John Russell
November 11, 2006
Hi Franz, happy 94th birthday
Enjoy yourself, keep jazzing
I live in England, hae an album of yours called # Rare Cuts Well Done, vol.9 . JCCD3112 grea music, best wishes and regards, take care
I shall probably buy the newer album # A Night at Red Arrow #
when cash permits, as am only a pensioner, relting on British Government to pay allowance and rent. cheers
yves francois smierciak
November 3, 2006
i just wanted to wish franz a happy birthday and hope to catch you either in indiana or in chicago, yves
Ayumi Miura
October 22, 2006
Hi Franz. I'm glad that I found this web site and know that you are still playing your music:) I met you about 3 yrs ago by Andy's when I was a college student in Wisconsin. I still clearly remember that I couldn't help smiling throughout your session because your music/voice just made me so happy! Now I am back in Tokyo but I dream of seeing again in Chicago.
yves francois smierciak
October 21, 2006
Franz, it is so great to see your web site! I want to say thank you very much for your great playing on the disc we made together, and for helping a young musician like me get started in the music business (and to keep me focused on the plunger, growl and mute work on the trumpet). IMHO Franz is the GREATEST musician alive in the 21st century, and I consider myself fortunate to have played with Franz and to know him, keep playing for another 93 years, Yves Francois
Stuart Pearson
September 28, 2006
I first found Franz, or did he find me(?) shortly after starting the Original Jass All-Stars. What a WONDERFUL GROUP! I'd love to be able to turn back the clock/calendar and hear them "LIVE AT THE RED ARROW," time and time again. The Red Arrow, and Franz with the All-Stars became a second home for me. I wish they were all alive like Franz so that I could thank them for all the BEAUTY, and ENJOYMENT of JAZZ that they have given me as a gift. As FRanz is the sole survivor let me say; FRANZ YOUR GREAT, I LOVE THE PERSON THAT YOU ARE, AND AM GRATEFUL FOR THE BEAUTY THROUGH YOUR MUSIC THAT YOU'VE SHARED WITH ME THROUGH THE YEARS!
Jim Ward
July 19, 2006
I have been listening to Franz since the 50's and he never ceases to amaze me. I was a kid when I first heard him and I am now 60, go figure. One thing for certain, Franz won't be seeing 6 white Horses anytime soon.
Otto J Kubik
May 2, 2006
I've known bits and pieces about Franz for almost 50 years. Besides a great musician, he is a wonderful human being, and deserves even more plaudits for that, even above his his music. His music is a "pointer" for my memory.
John Fulcher
April 5, 2006
Hands down the greatest musician who has ever walked the earth. His dedication to his art is an inspiration to all of us who try to write music that means something. How I hope that I'll still be playing up a storm when I'm 93.
Connie Usry
March 26, 2006
Dear friends....Franz and his whole family.....we love them dearly and miss them so much. Sending hugs and kisses.
Connie
Jean Kelley
February 21, 2006
Wish you would be at Woodfire on April 1,2006. We are having a family gathering there to celebrate my parents 70th and my Aunt and Uncles 65th anniversaries.Their kind of music.
Wishing you well.
Colette Fleming
November 10, 2005
The Fleming/Mulligan family from Hoffman Estates, IL sends our best to you!
hugh leal
September 24, 2005
I love Franz Jackson...his music AND this amazing man himself. An under-recognized great of the swing era. (except by the numerous "giants" of jazz who employed him!!), it has been my privilege to record his music and even to perform with him.....Hugh Leal, Producer,guitarist, Windsor , Canada