The Vancouver music community has lost one of its favourite sons.
Saxophonist and pianist Ross Taggart passed away on Wednesday, January 9 after a brave struggle with renal cancer.
A Juno Award winning musician and resourceful educator who worked with Hugh Fraser, P.J.Perry, Kenny Wheeler and others, Ross was also just a delightful man to be around. He was a warm and witty conversationalist with a mischievous sense of humour—quick to flash a smile—and always ready to chat about the jazz world that he committed his life to so passionately. I had many engaging dialogues with him over the years, the most recent during the Jazz Festival in the lobby of the Vogue Theatre where he raved about the unremitting creativity of fellow saxophonist Wayne Shorter. It saddens me to realize it was our last encounter.
On behalf of everyone at Coastal Jazz our deepest condolences to the Taggart family and friends.
—John Orysik
Co-Founder/Media Director
