Dave Bargeron obit

Dave Bargeron Has Died

 

He was not on the list.

Athol, Massachusetts – Dave Bargeron, the renowned American trombonist and tuba player, passed away in January 2025, marking a profound loss to the music world.

Bargeron, a native of Athol, Massachusetts, was celebrated for his extraordinary contributions to jazz, rock, and brass music. Over a career that spanned decades, he became one of the most respected low brass players of his generation, influencing countless musicians across various genres.

His musical journey began in his hometown, where he was introduced to instruments at a young age. While initially studying trumpet, it was the trombone and tuba that would become his true passions. Bargeron’s studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston further honed his skills and led to a distinctive sound that resonated throughout his career.

As a member of the legendary jazz-rock fusion band Blood, Sweat & Tears, Bargeron’s innovative work with the trombone and tuba helped define the band’s iconic sound. His technical mastery and ability to blend brass with rock elements left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Bargeron’s warm personality and mentorship were also key to his legacy. Fellow musicians, including Randy Brecker and Fernando Perdomo, praised his kindness and generosity, recalling his ability to inspire and guide younger artists.

His death has left the music world mourning the loss of a true innovator, but his musical legacy will live on through the recordings and performances that continue to inspire future generations.

Bargeron was lead trombonist with Clark Terry's Big Band and played bass trombone and tuba with Doc Severinsen's Band between 1968 and 1970. He joined Blood, Sweat, and Tears in 1970 after Jerry Hyman departed and first appeared on the album

B, S & T; 4. With this group, he recorded the jazz-rock solo on the tuba in "And When I Die/One Room Country Shack" on the album Live and Improvised. His recording credits with BS&T include eleven albums. A break in their schedule allowed him to join the Gil Evans Orchestra in 1972.

Bargeron became a freelance musician after leaving Blood, Sweat & Tears. He recorded with Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Mick Jagger, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, David Sanborn, Carla Bley, and Pat Metheny. He performed with the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band from Switzerland, the George Russell Living Time Orchestra, and was a long-time member of Jaco Pastorius's Word of Mouth Band. He recorded and toured with Tuba Tuba, a jazz tuba band which includes Michel Godard, Luciano Biondini, and Kenwood Dennard. He was a member of Howard Johnson's Gravity, a six-tuba group that has been together since 1968. Bargeron released several albums as a soloist and in collaboration.