Sad News About JT Member ValerieB

[Ron Thorne]

It saddens me greatly to share the following news. Our fellow member and my dear friend Valerie Bishop is now in hospice care following serious health issues.

[Ron Thorne]

My wife and I have been fortunate enough to spend many wonderful hours with Valerie over the past 15 or so years, nearly every time we visit our two sons in California, sometimes twice a year. We last spoke with Valerie about 3 weeks ago.

From sitting on a stool at a jazz club, or hanging with her at the Playboy Jazz Festival, to enjoying lunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Valerie's presence and passion for life is always front and center. There was always joy and pleasure when we shared moments with Valerie.


(L-R) Patti (my wife), Valerie and me at the Playboy Jazz Festival in 2008

Today, our son Justin (jtx here), webmaster at Jazztalk, will visit Valerie.

Jay Blotcher, Valerie's son, is in California now, and is helping to make it possible for friends to contact or see Valerie when appropriate. To reach Jay for further information, send him an e-mail to: jay@publicimpactpr.com

Valerie's Facebook page has a lot of activity, if you're interested in following the latest updates.

[Ron Thorne]

I just spoke with Justin, who was on his way back to work after visiting Valerie.
Unfortunately, she was sound asleep, and remained asleep despite attempts to wake her while son Jay and Justin were with her. Even staff members were unsuccessful in waking Valerie for some food.

Justin will pay another visit when cued by her son that she's awake and alert.

[Zula]

I'm so sorry to hear this... though unlikely, with luck, maybe she will be able to respond to some sushi, her favourite, iirc. Hoping for a peaceful, pain-free time for Valerie. Please pass on my warm regards, if you or Justin get a chance, Ron. Thank you for the updates!
Best,
Cem

[Jazzooo]

I hope she knows how loved she is.

[jtx]

Hello, everyone. Latest news from Jay is no improvement, unfortunately. Still sleeping most of the time. Waking moments are fleeting and not lasting.

[Ron Thorne]

It is with great sadness that I share the news about the passing of our member and dear friend, Valerie Bishop. She died today in Santa Monica, California, her home for several decades. The announcement was made by her son, Jay Blotcher.

My wife, Patti, and I enjoyed an extraordinary relationship with Valerie, filled with joy ... truly one which could be deemed a luxury.

I'll post more once I gather my thoughts better.

[Ron Thorne]

Here is a recent post from Valerie's son, Jay Blotcher, on Facebook.



Jay Blotcher‎ > Valerie Bishop
4 hrs ·

Valerie Isabel Paul Bishop
June 18, 1940-August 21, 2017

Valerie Bishop, jazz lover, sassy spirit, beloved friend and cherished mother, passed this morning after a long battle with cancer at the age of 77. In the past week she had been visited by many friends who got to voice their love and say goodbye. At her request, there will be no funeral, but a memorial service will be held at a later date. I will also list charities where you can make donations in her memory. Thank you for my life, Mamacita, and farewell.

Here are places and causes that Valerie loved and I invite you to make donations in her memory.

http://jazzfoundation.org/
https://www.newportfestivals.org/our-mission/
http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org/jazz-education
http://jazzbakery.org/
https://www.grammy.com/musicares

[Ron Thorne]

From Valerie's former husband, pianist Walter Bishop, Jr., "Valerie" from his 1977 album Soul Village.

[Zula]

So sorry to hear she's gone... sincere condolences to her loved ones!

We used to have a few laughs while posting Valerie songs on JC for her on her birthday:

https://youtu.be/tKPLpJ-vTGE

https://youtu.be/bBUQjKDnvNE

Farewell, Valerie...

[rlfun]

Very sorry about this news, Ron and Patti. I know she was a close, cherished friend.

[Ron Thorne]

Valerie knew and loved so many jazz musicians and singers, but her love for Gregory Porter was something special. And, she absolutely adored his young son, Demyan. In fact, she was his godmother.

[Ron Thorne]

I want to share as many photos of this extraordinary lady as possible. It may take a while, but I'm up for the challenge.



Valerie, with her beloved friend, trumpeter Clark Terry


Cannonball Adderley and Valerie back in the day

[Ron Thorne]

Valerie was extraordinarily fond of jazz vocalist, Gregory Porter. We discussed him, his work and family many times.



Gregory Porter and Valerie on the 2014 Jazz Cruise

[jtx]

How do you measure a life well lived? There a many different ways to do that, but what match up for me with what I know about Valerie are these two interrelated questions:

• Did you positively impact people over the course of your life?
  -and-
• Did you leave behind true friends and well wishers?

And I think we all know that there are legions of people to answer both of those questions in the affirmative.

Of course, quality is still more important than quantity, and the quality of friendship and positiveness that came from Valerie takes care of that measure, too.

I have no doubt that her untimely passing has left many, many folks saddened (myself included), but at the same time, we can all look back and celebrate the time we had with her.

Valerie with her son, Jay

valerie-jay.jpg (37.51 KiB) Viewed 30177 times

Valerie was a frequent contributor to the R.I.P. threads. She always had something poignant and thoughtful to add, along with an anecdote or two, about those who had passed before us. And on the occasion of Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009, she also sent along this great piece of writing that was making the rounds at the time. Especially given our present times, it seems fitting to share it again here.

Guests began arriving early. There are no place cards and no name tags. Everyone knows everyone else here. The Rev. Nat Turner will open the Inaugural Celebration with prayers of Thanksgiving, while John Brown assures his sons that Harper's Ferry was not the beginning and that this Inaugural Ball will not be the end, but the Dawn of a New Beginning. Now, there's a grand foursome - Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz sharing laughs with Martin and Coretta Scott King. Looks like Hosea Williams refused the limo again, keeping it real. And my goodness; is that Rosa Parks out there on the dance floor with A. Phillip Randolph? Seated at a nearby table, Frederick Douglass has a captive audience in W.E.B. DuBois and Fannie Lou Hamer, and Medgar Evers has just joined them.

Marian Anderson was asked to sing tonight, but she only agreed to do it if accompanied by Marvin Gaye, John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix. Look, there's Harriet Tubman. No one knows how she arrived, but there she is. And my guess is that, when the time comes, no one will see her leave. There's Jackie Robinson swiftly making his way through the hall as the crowd parts like the Red Sea to the unmistakable sound of applause. "Run, Jackie, run!" Along the way he is embraced by Jessie Owens.

Three beautiful young women arrive with their escorts - Schwerner, Goodman and Chaney. Ms. Viola Liuzzo flew in from Michigan, exclaiming, "I could not miss this." Richard Pryor promised to be on his best behavior. "But I can't make any guarantees for Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley," he chuckled. Joe Louis just faked a quick jab to the chin of Jack Johnson, who smiled broadly while slipping it. We saw Billy Eckstine and Nat King Cole greet Luther Vandross. James Brown and Josh Gibson stopped at Walter Payton's table to say hello. I spotted Congressman Adam Clayton Powell of Harlem having a lively political discussion with Eldredge Cleaver. Pearl Harbor WWII hero Dorey Miller shared a few thoughts with Crispus Attucks, a hero of the Revolutionary War.

And there is Madam C.J. Walker talking with Marcus Garvey about exporting goods to Africa. General Benjamin O. Davis flew into Washington safely with an escort from the 99th Fighter Squadron - better known as The Tuskegee Airman. At the table on the left are three formidable women - Shirley Chisholm, Sojourner Truth, and Barbara Jordan - gathered for a little girl-talk... about world politics. As usual, all the science nerds seem to have gathered off in a corner, talking shop. There's Granville T. Woods and Lewis Latimer needling each other about whose inventions are better. Someone jokingly asked Benjamin Banneker if he had needed directions to Washington. And George Washington Carver was overheard asking, "What, no peanuts?" Dualing bands? Anytime Duke Ellington and Count Basie get together, you know the place will be jumping.

Tonight is special, of course, so we have Miles, Dizzy, and Satchmo sitting in on trumpet, with Coltrane, Cannonball, and Bird on sax. Everyone's attention is directed to the dance floor where Bill "Bojangles" Robinson is tap dancing. Right beside him is Sammy Davis Jr., doing his Bojangles routine. And behind his back, Gregory Hines is imitating them both. Applause and laughter abound! The Hollywood contingent has just arrived from the Coast. Led by filmmaker Oscar Micheau, Paul Robeson, Cana a Lee, and Hattie McDaniel, they find their way to their tables. Dorothy Dandridge, looking exquisite in gold lamé, is seen signaling to her husband, Harold Nicholas, who is standing on the floor with brother Fayard watching Gregory Hines dance. "Hold me back," quips Harold, "before I show that youngster how it's done." Much laughter!

Then a sudden hush comes over the room. The guests of honor have arrived. The President and Mrs. Obama looked out across the enormous ballroom at all the historic faces. Very many smiles, precious few dry eyes.Someone shouted out,"You did it! You did it!" and President Obama replied,"No sir, you did it; you all - each and every one of you - did it. Your guidance and encouragement; your hard work and perseverance..." Obama paused, perhaps holding back a tear.

"I look at your faces - your beautiful faces - and I am reminded that The White House was built by faces that looked just like yours. On October 3, 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was laid, and the foundations and main residence of The White House were built mostly by both enslaved and free African Americans and paid Europeans. In fact, most of the other construction work was performed by immigrants, many of whom had not yet become citizens. Much of the brick and plaster work was performed by Irish and Italian immigrants. The sandstone walls were built by Scottish immigrants. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that The White House is, ultimately, The People's House, with each President serving as its steward. Since 1792, The People have trimmed its hedges, mowed its lawn, stood guard at the gate, cooked meals in the kitchen, and scrubbed its toilet bowls. But 216 years later, The People are taking it back!"

"Today, Michelle and I ushered in a new era. But while we and our family look toward the future with so much hope, we know that we must also acknowledge fully this milestone in our journey. We want to thank each and every one of you for all you have done to make this day possible. I stand here before you, humbled and in awe of your accomplishments and sacrifice, and I will dedicate my Presidency, in your honor, to the principles of peace, liberty and freedom. If it ever appears that I'm forgetting that, I know I can count on you to remind me."

"It's gonna be a good day."

Cheers, Valerie!

[bluenoter]

 
Valerie loved Cécile McLorin Salvant —





R.I.P., Valerie Isabel Paul Bishop

  

Here is a recent post from Valerie's son, Jay Blotcher, on Facebook.

. . . Here are places and causes that Valerie loved and I invite you to make donations in her memory.

http://jazzfoundation.org/
https://www.newportfestivals.org/our-mission/
http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org/jazz-education
http://jazzbakery.org/
https://www.grammy.com/musicares

[Ron Thorne]

More special photos —



Valerie with Anua Maupin



Valerie with Alfre Woodard



Valerie with Horace Silver



Valerie with Esperanza Spalding


(L-R) Tia Fuller, -?-, Angela Davis, Valerie, at Monterey Jazz Festival

[Ron Thorne]

This good news today from Valerie's son, Jay.


'Save the Date: A jazz celebration of the life of Valerie Bishop will take place on Sunday, October 29, in the afternoon in Los Angeles. More specific details to follow. Please share with those who loved her. Thank you.'

[Ron Thorne]

The latest from Valerie's son, Jay.

"For those who wish to say goodbye to Valerie...
There will be a graveside service in Sharon, Massachusetts, on Sunday, Oct 22, at 10:45am at Sharon Memorial Park.
The cemetery entrance is at 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA 02067. Signs will guide you to the family plot.
The service will last 25 minutes. All are welcome."

[Ron Thorne]

I rediscovered 3 photos of Valerie which were taken on two of many occasions when we enjoyed lunch with her at Duke's Malibu, one of our favorite restaurants on Oahu, Kauai, and in Malibu. Patti and I introduced Valerie to Duke's, which became her favorite restaurant in southern California. As you can see, we were having a good time.



With shades | Duke's Malibu - 2012
L to R: Ron Thorne, Patti Thorne, Valerie Bishop


Without shades | Duke's Malibu - 2012
L to R: Ron Thorne, Patti Thorne, Valerie Bishop


Duke's Malibu - 2013
L to R: Valerie Bishop, Ron Thorne

[Gentle Giant]

Was honored to be among the mourners at Valerie Bishop's memorial service this morning. It was a beautiful send-off, fittingly with moving words and stirring music. Great to meet Marla Kleman as well as Valerie's family and friends. RIP.

[Ron Thorne]

Yesterday afternoon, at Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles, friends of Valerie Bishop gathered to celebrate her life. There were jazz luminaries such as Herbie Hancock and Bennie Maupin among them. A special message from Sonny Rollins was also read.

My wife and I were unable to attend, but our son Justin, our webmaster, was there. Once he is able to process the images, he will add them to this thread, along with some comments.

[jtx]

I attended the celebration event for Valerie at the Catalina Jazz Club. It was a great tribute for a great lady. Of course, one event cannot possibly do her justice, but it did provide a great way to bring many of Valerie's LA-area friends and family together for a wonderful send off.



As indicated in the program (PDF), the event was hosted by LeRoy Downs of KJazz 88.1 FM, and special guest musicians were Herbie Hancock, Bennie Maupin and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble, a group that Herbie is directly involved with in conjunction with UCLA and the Thelonious Monk Institute, for which he chairs the board of trustees.





Herbie reflected on his connections going way back with Valerie, and played a solo tribute to her. This was followed by Bennie Maupin, who also shared some of his memories and provided another excellent solo performance. The ensemble played several times, culminating in a final performance featuring Herbie sitting in with the ensemble.







It was a simultaneously joyous and bittersweet affair at a favorite venue of Valerie's (which I attended with her once - I made sure to sit in the same place we sat), commemorating a special individual who all in attendance agreed was a truly remarkable, one-of-a-kind soul who positively impacted everyone she befriended. As I was carrying my camera, I was asked to snap a photo of the inner circle of folks who put on the event, including Valerie's pride and joy, her son Jay (also pictured with me below), and his husband Brook. What a nice bunch of folks.



I made some new friends in the process, something I am certain would make Valerie smile.

[Jazzooo]

beautiful, thanks.

[rlfun]

Thanks Justin. Great photos and remembrance. What an experience. Wonderful photos of Valerie with Ron and Patti, too.