Ron Kalina Obituary

August 4, 1928 - January 13, 2016 The jazz world has lost one of its finest harmonica players with the passing of Ron Kalina. A resident of Palm Desert, Ron delighted audiences for years locally and performed and recorded in Los Angeles right up until hospitalization January 3rd. Throughout his lengthy career Ron worked with Joe Williams, Anita O'Day, Johnny Hartman and was musical director for Gloria Lynne for 14 years. His film credits include "Magnolia" with his New World Harmonica Trio, the Los Angeles production of "Shenandoah", TV credit for "Moonlighting", background music heard in "The Simpsons". Most recently he is featured in the remarkable Luis Munoz CD, "Voz" as well as in many past collaborations with Mr. Munoz. He composed, arranged, sang and did it all with immense talent, energy and ... a bit of attitude! His song "No More Mister Nice Guy" with lyrics by Arthur Hamilton is heard frequently in the desert and always amuses and entertains. Ron was not only a great talent, but he was a true delight with his sense of humor, love of word play and puns (some better than others!) His most notable recordings "Getting My Axes Together" in which he plays both piano and harmonica and "The Odd Couple" with virtuoso Tuba master player, Jim Self, both show great originality and creativity. We remember Ron for his remarkable energy, dedication to jazz and his countless contributions to films, recordings and support of other musicians. He leaves Judy Wolman, his B.F.F. (Best Fan Forever) of fifteen years, sons Ron Kalina, Jr. (Debbie) of Exton, PA, Jeffrey Kalina of Palmyra, PA, stepsons Richard Partlow (Kathy) of Sherman Oaks, CA, James Partlow (Suzanne) of Houston, TX and beloved grand�daughters Elizabeth Kalina and Megan Partlow Roesing. "Never sacrifice heart for technique and flash." ...Ron Kalina …and he never did. RIP, Ronald You are our hero and we love you forever.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Jan. 19, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Ron Kalina

9 Entries

MARY BECKER

January 26, 2020

RON KALINA WAS AN ATTORNEY WITH KALINA AND WILLS IN NE MPLS FOR MANY YEARS. JOHN BECKER ron was a fine lawyer.

Steve Tree

November 19, 2018

Judy, Ron was more than just jazz :)

Roger Crane

June 17, 2016

My wife, the Lovely Lynne, and I are major jazz fans. Over the years we often saw and heard Ron in various So Cal venues. As we are wont to do we befriended the likable Ron. We host jazz parties at our Lomita home and Ron was able to attend a few of those. I was not aware of his January death and I am a bit teary as I write this. Nice man, nice musician. (We need lot of those.) My sincerest condolences to his family and close friends. Roger Crane, aka The Song Scout

Don & Diane Fraser

February 1, 2016

Ron was a giant in the jazz world and he will be terribly missed. His legacy through his music will live on forever. I feel very honored to have had the opportunity to sit in with Ron at the Indian Wells hotel last year. Our condolences go out to Judy and Ron's family.

ME AND JIM

SALLY SKEOCH

January 29, 2016

I will miss you my long time friend. We had some really good times, and in the nearly thirty years we had some of the others.
i loved your misic The whole''American Song Book'' with a touch of your kind of Jazz. YOUR ARE IN MY PRAYERS TILL I SEE YOU AGAIN. LOVE, SALLY
P.S. TELL JIM I MISS HIM !!!

January 25, 2016

My deepest condolences. May God provide you with the strength and comfort you need as you cope with your loss. (Psalms 9:9 NWT)

Ellen

January 21, 2016

He was so much fun to be around -- wit and charm in spades. Loved his playing especially when we sang at the Jazz Bakery with Sing!Sing!Sing! -- Judy's "sophisticated sing-alongs" featuring the Great American Songbook.

Ann O'Keefe

January 20, 2016

I had the pleasure of knowing Ron for 15 years through my sister (Ron's "Best Fan Forever"), Judy. He was like a brother-in-law to me (and to Ed) for the 11 years we have lived here in the desert. He was, simply, part of our family. He was a terrific musician in so many ways. Through him I learned more about The Harmonica than I ever thought there was to know! And what an appreciation he gave me for that fantastic instrument. He was terrific on the piano, too--and I loved his singing. My favorite song of his was "No More Mister Nice Guy" (which he wrote) and I always requested it when he played! I will miss him and remember him with love always.

Carol Tiffin

January 20, 2016

Such a tremendous loss for Judy, family and the Coachella Valley. He will be missed by all that had the privilege of hearing and enjoying his musical talents as well as those who knew him for the wonderful man that he was. RIP Ron and play for the Angels.

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results