I am saddened to hear of the passing of Michael Cuscuna, a longtime friend who produced my second album, Give it Up, in 1972.

He was smart, funny and brilliant — one of a kind. As well as being an independent producer, he became a legendary jazz historian and prolific archival record producer who helped reissue recordings and find never-released music for hundreds of albums at Blue Note and his own Mosaic Records from the 1970s until now. “His passion for filling in the blanks in jazz history contributed significantly to deepening the knowledge of jazz and how the genre influenced American culture.”(Washington Post)

I send my condolences to his wife Lisa, their two daughters and grandkids. He will be sorely missed.
— Bonnie

Here are links to two wonderful obituaries chronicling his extraordinary life.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/25/arts/music/michael-cuscuna-dead.html https://www.bluenote.com/spotlight/michael-cuscuna-1948-2024/

Photo by Brian Ach/WireImage for NARAS/Getty Images