Death of a Local Jazz Servant

News has reached the Wayward Blog of local jazz supporter Ed Fenner’s death this past Sunday, May 18.

I found out via Plastic Sax, who cited Fenner’s sales work for JAM Magazine, his management of the ambassadors’ jazz calendar and his plans to develop the comprehensive Web site KC Jazz Voice this year. Fenner’s death is “a devastating blow to Kansas City’s jazz community,” says Sax. And in another post, Sax wonders, “Might this be the end of an era?”

Over at Present magazine, editor Pete Dulin wrote this tribute to Fenner.

I only met Fenner once — he was a charming, thoroughly personable man. I would see him at just about any jazz event I attended, and I enjoyed his Jazz Notes email. His email handle, by the way, was “steelbuns.” Clearly, he had a sense of humor about himself.

And clearly, he’ll be missed.

Please, a jazz funeral for Ed.