R.I.P: Paul Rutherford

The trombonist Paul Rutherford was found dead in his apartment August 5th. He died from the consequences of his long alcohol dependency. Rutherford started as a dixieland trombonist but soon discovered Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman as well as John Coltrane and Miles Davis, both of whom he was able to hear live in concert in Cologne while serving in the army. In the 60s be was among the founding members of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble, one of the premier European free improvisation groups; he later performed with Mike Westbrook, Barry Guy, Keith Tippett, Elton Dean, Tony Oxley, but also with Soft Machine and the Charlie Watts Big Band, as well as with Don Cherry's New Eternal Rhythm Orchestra and Alexander von Schlippenbach's Globe Unity Orchestra. In the 70s he played in the band Iskra 1903 with Derek Bailey and Barry Guy. In 1974 he recorded a solo album; in the last couple of years he even had to work as a doorman as he couldn't find enough gigs in Britain. Obituary: Guardian .

There's a very good story on Paul at the All About Jazz website:

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=22016