Final Cadence

Saxophonist Stephen Jordan, Jr. '64 passed away on December 3, 2004. Jordan was the leader of 747 Orchestra, an r&b band that played professionally at weddings and functions for more than 27 years. He leaves his fiancee, Nanci Silver, who will continue to lead his ensemble.

Harold Dawson '67 of Providence, RI, passed away April 24. He was 58. In his younger years, Dawson had been a Navy SEAL and a singer/songwriter who performed throughout New England.

John G. Zannini '72, of Hampstead, NH, died unexpectedly on March 27. He was 54. Zannini served as an organist at various local churches and in the choir and youth group at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, at the time of his passing. Zannini also performed with many bands from the Boston area and worked closely with his brother Tony, also a Berklee alumnus. Together they produced a jazz album called Labor of Love. He leaves his wife, Nancy, daughters Amy and Carina, son Jonathan, and grandson David.

Walter Cunningham '76 of Attleboro, MA, died at home on December 27, 2004. He was 47. Cunningham was a guitarist who received his diploma in music synthesis at Berklee. He is survived by his sister Bridget Cunningham and his brother Paul Cunningham.

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Mindy Jostyn '76 of Hudson, NY, died March 10 after a brief illness. She was 48. After a few appearances on Saturday Night Live in 1989 playing harmonica in a sketch with Dolly Parton, and later backing Billy Joel, Jostyn was hired as a backup musician by Joel for his Storm Front tour. She went on to work with Joe Jackson, John Mellencamp, Cindy Lauper, Shania Twain, and many others. Jostyn later launched her solo career as a folk artist and released four albums. At the time of her passing, she had nearly completed an album of folk hymns that will be released in the future. Jostyn leaves her husband, Jacob Brackman, and sons Isaiah and Misha.

Bassist Wayne Pedzwater '78 of New York City died on March 17 after a battle with stomach cancer. He was 48. Pedzwater got his first break with the Buddy Rich Band and later became an in-demand session player in New York. He had recorded and toured with such artists as John Lennon, Jeff Beck, Robert Plant, Paul Simon, Bette Midler, Garth Brooks, Jewel, the Rolling Stones, and others, and he played on numerous soundtracks and commercials. He leaves his wife, Patty.

Bill Bookheim '85 of New York City, an engineer and composer for Soundtrack Studios in New York, died of a stroke on March 11. He was 41. Bookheim worked on numerous national ad campaigns for clients such as Stop & Shop, Compaq, the NBA, Reebok, and Blue Man Group. He also wrote music for documentary films and penned the theme music used by the Boston Red Sox between 1993 and 1996. Bookheim also worked as a producer and engineer on CDs for such artists as Carly Simon, Elliot Randall, Frank Sinatra, and others. A Berklee scholarship fund in the name of Bill Bookheim has been established. For information or to make a donation, contact Marjorie O'Malley at (617) 747-2569.

Former faculty member Richard Banda died on December 31, 2004, after a brief illness. He was 69. Highpoints in Banda's career as a percussionist included performances with Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. He taught percussion and music theory at Berklee during the 1980s. He leaves two daughters, Andrea McCracken and Julia Banda. Those wishing to make donations to Berklee in Richard Banda's name may contact Marjorie O'Malley at (617) 747-2569 for information.