I'm so glad I got see her perform at the King Biscuit Festival last fall. I can't count the times her music made me smile.
Thank-you Ann for sharing your talent. I saw you at the Casino in CT a few times & always enjoyed Saffire-the Uppity Blues Ladies. I still love to listen to the tapes I purchased. I was just listening to you on you-tube & that how I found out about your passing. May you rest in peace. Rock it in heaven. :) S Biondo, St Louis, MO
My sincere condolences to Ann's family. Ann -Thank you for the excellent music,friendship and inspiration you gave to all of us. I shall miss making music & laughing with you. I know some where you & the piano are playing up a storm with the Blues & Boogie Woogie "Greats" as you are! God I miss you.
My sincere condolences to your family. Thank you for your inspiration to my daughters and me,and sharing your gift with us Ann! Love your music!! We had the pleasure of seeing you in concert a few times and always left uplifted and laughing! You will be truly missed, but never forgotten. RIP
Thank you Ann for showing your beautiful heart and music, you will be missed!!
So sorry to hear of the loss of a great blueswoman. My sincerest sympathies to all her friends, family and loved ones. She will be sorely missed, but her music will live on.
To the loved ones of Ms. Rabson, I am truely sorry for your loss. She touched my heart with laughter with her music. She was a talent that will be missed greatly.
Deepest sympathy and prayers for comfort and peace in the loss of a talented musician and a really terrific person. I will remember many great Saffire performances. Ann's rendition of Sloppy Drunk was my favorite.
Going to Memphis now for the IBC awards just won't be the same because seeing you at King's was one big reason we went. For you Ann, the music will never stop. Thanks for the best boogie woogie piano I ever heard. RIP.
Now, for you ann, the music never stops!!!! Rest in peace!
Those are some musical memories that won't be disappearing anytime soon. Thanks and blessings.
You were such a good perfomer.
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Thanks for sharing your incredible talent! You will truely be missed. Love& rrs to the family. Lyn Williams
George, my heart goes out to you and Ann's family.Peace be with you. Get in touch when you can. I would love to hear from you.
My ex husband turned me on to the Blues and I am forever grateful. We saw Saffire more times than I can count, and they never disappointed. I have all their CD's and have given them as gifts to many friends who needed to smile. Ann I will continue to smile every time I hear you sing the blues. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent!
Cindy Bauers Canal Winchester,Oh
George and family my deepest condolences, the world lost a wonderful talent music makin' mama. I was fortunate enough to see Saffire at the Handlebar in Greenville, SC and The Grey Eagle in Asheville. She played and sung deep from the depths of her heart, the trio was awesome. Cancer and any deathly sickness I pray one day let there be a cure.
I always loved Saffire Ann was a true gem.
I never got the chance to see her but I do have a couple of songs by her. What a great entertainer. To Ann's family and friends, so sorry for your loss.
My friends and I saw Saffire in Reno and LOVED them. Ann will be missed.
Sympathy to family and friends,sorry for your loss.Eccl.9:5.
The loss of a loved one is a very sad and heavy load to bear. May you find comfort in the hope given at: (2 Cor. 1:3)
Ann was my Blues piano teacher in the summertime at Augusta Heritage Center a Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, WV. I don't know how I can manage from now on without her as she had not yet finished teaching me "the vocabulary."
She was a great lady, a fun lady, and she will be greatly missed by many, many people. Sara Steele
I first saw Ann so many years ago at a free concert on the river in Columbus, OH before Andra Fay joined Saffire. I was smitten with these delightful ladies and saw them many times including the swan song at West Virginia Music Festival. I have turned many many people on to her great band as well as the awsome live performances. RIP Ann I will miss you.
Ann! I will be missing you! The BLUES will not be the same without you!
Ann Rabson was one of the finest Blues musicians of the century. From her smokey to gutsy vocals to her unique way of piano and guitar playing. The blues poured right from her soul into her voice and out through her fingertips and when she played those "88's" all the energy and the feeling of the blues came pouring out in an avalanche of sound for all to feel and hear. She will always be the Queen of the barrelhouse blues. We will miss you here but Heaven has in their midst one great "Music Making Mama." Love you Ann.
your friend,
Rita
RIP. Heaven is a happier place with you and your piano music there. Glad I have several of your CDs.
Just discovered Ann's music this past year and love it! What a gifted musician. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.
RIP, Ann. We will miss you so much.
TG and Jo
Ann was a great human being and a great musician. She showed me endearing kindness in our encounters thru the years. She was a force of nature and is going to be missed by our musical community.
Ann was our Prof at Germannia, played music with cousins Todds Tavern Band, and someone we are truly glad to have met in life. Our thoughts and prayers to her family for their loss.
Apart from being a great entertainer, Ann was always kind and gracious to her fans. She stood patiently while we took pictures at several blues festivals and sat with us between sets at one of her solo shows. While she was surely a gifted musician and musicologist, she was also wonderful person. Heartfelt condolences to her family on the loss of such a great soul. We'll miss her.
RIP Ann we will miss her but her music will live on and on may God bless .
Chick Willis
Another blues artist taken too soon. I dearly loved all your music. Have fun with that big band in the sky. Condolences to the friends and family. .PLAY ON ANN PLAY ON
She will be sorely missed.
I hope you will meet Hubert Sumlin and Pinetop Perkins on the other side of the rainbow
I truly loved her voice and you will be surly missed in the world of blues. It just won't be the same without you. Your music inspired me to be open and honest and CLEAN.....
The world has truly lost a great artist.
Linda Hunley, Roanoke, VA
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
I am so sorry to read of Ann Rabson's passing. We saw Saffire twice and both times were struck by the joy and energy of the performances.
Much sympathy to her family.
God Bless You,Sweet Soul.
Ann was truly an original, a driving force in blues. I loved her gutsy feminist twist. She will be greatly missed. Prayers of comfort to family and friends.
I saw Saffire in New Haven CT many years ago, with a dear friend (who also passed too soon). Ann gave me an autograph and to me to "stay uppity!", and I like to think I have - I sure hope I haven't let her down!
My sincere condolences to all who knew her. Her venerable piano playing and powerful voice have joined that great big band in the great big beyond! RIP and God bless!
Sorry to hear of Ann's passing. I always had a lot of fun at Saffire concerts. I was so happy to meet her and the other ladies, they sure laid down some fun music.
RIP. Heaven must be a rockin'.
I saw the trio perform twice - they were amazing. A legend in her own time - rest in peace.
Dear Ann, thank you for sharing your incredible talent with us. I will never forget the lively & lovely twinkle in your eye. My sincere sympathy to your family.
Greetings from Barbados.May God continue to bless the family,and close friends at this time of bereavement.
Rest in peace, my friend. May you music live in our hearts and souls forever.
My heart aches this morning after seeing the loss of one of my favorite Blues Women. She was a gift to all who knew her. She was a talented writer and
player. She will be so missed. To her family and her Saffire family, my
prayers for strength to see you through this sad time.
Lovingly yours Wanda Fears
We saw the Uppity Blues Women in the Algonquin Theater in Manasquan, NJ. They were amazing together. Condolences to Ann's family, Gaye and Andra. She will be missed but, will live on forever in her recordings.
MAY THE TRUE GOD OF COMFORT BE WITH THE FAMILY OF ANN RABSON.
So sad to hear this! Ann was a great woman and musician. My warm wishes to her family and friends. Her sweetness will be remembered by all who met her.
Saw Saffire at Gilly's in Dayton, OH and made them honorary SWTABs; don't know if Ann still had the plaque we presented to them but she will always be in my heart. Thanks for the music and memories. Rest in peace.
God bless you and rest in peace ~ prayers to your loved ones.
With deepest sympathy to the Rabson family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there is to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.
Ann was a great musician and showperson.....I first bought Saffire records on Alligator label and loved their low down gritty blues feel....She will be missed by many many people.....
To George and Family,
May you take comfort in knowing that Ann is healthy and strong now and giving the Lord some barrel-house piano tunes that has Him tapping His feet and clapping His mighty hands.
Rest In Peace, Ann.
seen Ann in Milwaukee about 8 years ago and enjoyed them so much. My sister and I went and we had a good time. RIP Ann.
Ann Rabson Family,
May the love shown through Anns' music bring joy to your hearts. What beautiful memories you must have of her. Cherish the memories she left behind for you to treasure.
DB NJ
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
So Sad. I hope she left us knowing how much enjoyment she brought to many! R.I.P.
My prayers to the family. I knew Ann for over 55 yrs. she was raised in Yellow Springs OH. She was a GREAT LADY, and will be greatly missed
May you find comfort in the Hearer of prayer at this time. Psalm 65:2
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
? Maya Angelou
I will never forget how as a child I would spend time at Ann's house with Liz. They were special and cherished. My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time and know that she touched countless peoples' lives positively throughout hers.
I am so sad, I loved watching and hearing the uppity blues woman. I will miss Ann so much. She was so delightful
I saw Ann a few years ago when she and her fellow band members played in Burlington , vermont. I loved their passion and their joy. We will all miss her.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your dear loved one. May the God who gives peace be with all of you.RO.15:33 Deepest Sympathy
My deepest sympathies. May the God of all comfort, comfort the family during your time of grief.
A wonderful, talented, warm-hearted person will be missed, but never fogotten.
My sympathy to your family. Today we lost a blues legend but her music will live on in our hearts and will play on for all to enjoy in the decades to come. Her personality was electric, she was a commanding presence on the stage. Her vocal ability and style of guitar and piano playing was unique. I had the pleasure of meeting her many times. For this I am grateful. My heart is heavy. You are sorely missed. Love,
R.B.Rose Author/friend
Ann Rabson remains an inspiration to me and my 7 daughters. We know her through her music. Our condolences to you, her family and all who loved her.
To George and family--I'm so sorry to hear of Ann's passing. My mun and dad(Maureen and Bill) and I lived on Princess Anne St. in Fredericksburg a while back and we all enjoyed Saffire and your very talented wife!
I am sorry for your loss. Do not isolate yourself from others, thinking that you will be a burden to them. On the contrary, association with others can be like a bridge that helps you cross over from grief to acceptance. The Bible describes a true friend as one born for when there is distress. Proverbs 17:17 Sarah Watson/Ohio
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.
I was always bowled over by Ann's musical talent. Her warm and witty way with her fans was icing on the cake. I will miss this truly kind and talented Lady. I can only imagine the grief of her family and extended family of friends, and hope they find comfort for the loss of this fine human being.
"I know someday I'll wake up and these blues will be gone..."
Wonderful artist!
Suzanne
An incredible talent from my hometown.
R.I.P.
My sincere condolence for the loss of Ann your dear loved one. May your good and fond memories of her bring comfort. Peace and love to your family and friends, and to the spirit that you show. bjluv333@comcast.net
ann, sweet ann the musical magic ann of the blues...rip my thoughts are with george and elizabeth.. can't believe this is so...
Hope it's one big Concert in the sky... Saw and got your autograph at Wheatland ! Godspeed !
So sorry to hear about Ann's passing. She will be missed so much. Loved playing with her over the years.
Jim - Raindogs
I never met her, but I loved her piano playing nd her voice.I bought one of her cd's on a whim and bought several others because they were so good. She will be missed.
An admirer from Massachusetts
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
I was introduced to Saffire when a friend gave me one of their CDs as a gift. I was hooked. I had the priviledge of seeing them in concert at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta and several times at the Handlebar in Greenville. One of those times was their farewell tour. Ann made so many great contributions in the field of blues music and I am forever appreciative. For me it opened up a whole new world of music. My thoughts are with her family as they go through this time of loss.
We loved seeing Saffire at the Wheatland Music Festival in Michigan. When they were on the schedule, we knew a good time would be had! What a great trio of talented women! So sorry to hear of Ann's passing.
The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.
I only met Ann once as she was unloading her equipment from a friend's car at Dulles Airport. They seemed to be struggling a little with the heavy equipment so I stopped to help them. They were so appreciative she handed me one of her CDs. May she rest in peace.