Final Cadence

Jazz clarinetist Dick Johnson ’48 of Brockton, MA, passed away on January 10, 2010. He was 84. Johnson enjoyed a career that included performing and recording with such jazz luminaries as Dave McKenna, Herb Pomeroy, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Buddy Rich. He recorded for the Emarcy, and Concord Records labels. His jazz septet Swing Shift performed at Carnegie Hall. Between 1983 and 2006, he served as the musical director of the Artie Shaw Orchestra. Johnson is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rose Johnson; his son Gary Johnson ’73; and his daughter Pamela Sargent.

Jazz drummer Jake Hanna ’56 of Dorchester, MA, died on February 12 from complications of a bone marrow disease. He was 78. Hanna began playing locally in Boston and worked with Toshiko Akiyoshi and Maynard Ferguson as the house drummer at the famed Storyville jazz nightclub. He later worked with Marian McPartland and the Woody Herman Orchestra. Hanna was a studio musician and, between 1964 and 1975, a member of the Merv Griffin show’s big band, and moved with the show to Los Angeles in 1970 where he remained. Hanna co-led a group with Carl Fontana that recorded for Concord Records. He also played with Supersax, and went on to appear on many mainstream and swing sessions and became a fixture at jazz festivals.

Keith Davy ’60 of Brooksville, FL, passed away on January 6. He was 76. For more than 30 years, he was a lead trombonist and arranger. In 1953 he joined the U.S. Air Force and was assigned to the 508th Air Force Band squadron, where he played for President Dwight Eisenhower. He is survived by his wife, Yvette; daughter Shawn Weyant; stepson Craig Segar; Segar’s wife, Theresa; stepdaughter Laurel Butler and Butler’s husband, Shawn; and two granddaughters .

Adrian “Jay” Ley ’70 of Sanbornton, NH, passed away March 18 after a long illness. He was 62. A saxophonist, he played in several area rock bands including Annie & the Orphans, the T.D. Nickel Band, and the Rusty Rockstar Roadshow. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Beth.

David Scherman ’74 of Topsfield, MA, died March 1 after a prolonged illness. He was 58. After graduating from high school in 1969, he attended Berklee. He was a talented musician and sound engineer. A true Thoreauvian, he relocated to the woods to explore his life and chronicled that exploration in his popular blog The Natural World. He is survived by a sister and three brothers.

Bill Dooley ’76 of Hollywood, CA, passed away suddenly on March 19. He was 56. Dooley was a highly regarded audio engineer who had worked at Atlantic Recording Studio, A&M Recording Studios, the Record Plant, and other studios. Dooley was chief mastering engineer at Paramount Recording until his passing. He had worked with a range of artists including Madonna, David Crosby, The Trammps, King Sunny Ade, Cheap Trick, and more during his 24 years in the industry. He leaves his wife Candace, two sons, a step daughter, and a grandaughter.

Rory Allen Lindgren ’85 of Manchester, NH, died December 25, 2009. He was 44. Allen worked in purchasing for Barlo Signs in Hudson, NH, and taught guitar lessons at Harvey’s Music in Milford. He played in bands for more than 30 years, often with brothers Roby and Reid. He is survived by his parents, Roy and Rose Ann Lindgren; four brothers; and his girlfriend, Tammy Koehler.

Cassandra Ray ’07 of Salem, NH, drowned while canoeing on the Exeter River with friends on February 26. She was 21. A pianist, she excelled at music and athletics in high school and then attended Berklee. She is survived by her parents, Robin Smith and Jim Michaud; two sisters; and a brother.