Friends of the Hall of Fame

The Friends of the Hall are New England musicians and non-musicians with a Hall connection, perhaps as a voter in a past election, as a member of the NEJA board, or as a volunteer and supporter. These are not historic figures from long ago—these are people we knew, and they helped further the cause of the Hall of Fame. They are truly friends of the Hall of Fame.

• New England Jazz Hall of Fame contributing photographer Burt Goldblatt died in 2006 at 81.
• NEJA board member and Milford native Leo Curran signed on with the Stan Kenton Orchestra as band boy in 1948 and toured with the band for the next ten years. Read all about Leo’s adventures in jazz.
• They call her “Boston’s First Lady of Song,” and for good reason, but “jazz singer” only tells part of the story. Take a peek inside Mae Arnette’s Musical Scrapbook for the rest of it.
• January 2005 marked the passing of Boston piano standout and early Hall of Fame supporter Mabel Robinson Simms.
• Brent Banulis wrote this appreciation of Boston drummer Bill “Baggy” Grant.
• Ed Bride remembers Stephanie Barber of the Music Inn in Lenox.
• College bands from all over New England were Wailin’ in Williamstown at the Intercollegiate Jazz Festival in 2004 under the watchful eyes of James Williams, a strong supporter of the Hall of Fame, who died of cancer three months after this event.