Daniel John Mastri Sr.

DANIEL JOHN MASTRI, SR. AKA DAN 'THE FOX' May 1, 1917 -- April 1, 2011 Dan passed away peacefully on April 1, 2011 in Toronto, one month before his 94th birthday. The legendary bass player, born in Coraopolis, PA began to make his mark in the jazz world in the 1930s. His career started with the Brad Hunt Big Band out of Pittsburgh. He was still entertaining audiences until he was well over ninety years old. Danny's career summary reads like the 'Who's Who' of the jazz music industry. From his early days, he played with and backed some of the most renowned jazz musicians. One of the highlights was his time with the famed New York-based Saints & Sinners All Stars, who regularly included Toronto on their tours. With them, he toured the eastern U.S., Canada, Europe and North Africa during the 1960s and 70s and appeared at the Nice and Montreux Jazz Festivals. In 1972 Dan moved to Toronto, where he worked with a number of local groups in some of the city's most popular jazz venues. Right up to 2008 he appeared in the popular Beaches Jazz Festivals. Dan is survived by his beloved Jo Vitalis, by a son, Daniel Mastri, Jr. (Linda), granddaughters Sharon Mafrici (Joe), Donna Dulavitch (Chuck), great-grandchildren Daniel, Joseph, Amanda, Matthew, Leah, sister Angeline Pettit and brother John Mastri. A cremation has taken place. A Remembrance will be held Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 77 Carlton Street in the party room from 2-5 p.m.