John N. "Johnny" Helms

John N. "Johnny" Helms COLUMBIA John N. "Johnny" Helms musician, bandleader, educator died Friday, March 27, 2015. Born 2/10/35 to the late Mary Brown and William Edgar Helms Sr., he was predeceased by his brother, W.E. "Eddie' Helms Jr. and his nephew, W.E. "Ed" Helms III. He is survived by his sister, Mary Helms Counts; nephew, Michael Counts (Vicki); nieces, Karen "Lisa" Prentice (Kevin), Dinah H. Cook (Phil), son, James; and Pam B. Helms, and her daughter, Blake. As a youngster, he won the Horace Heidt Talent Show in Columbia, and as a 9th-grade student was invited to perform with the University of South Carolina Band. He attended St. Peter's Catholic School and Columbia High School, the University of South Carolina, was a Mason, former member of the Sertoma Club, Gamecock Club, and was a rabid follower of all sports Gamecock. His jazz style was influenced by Clifford Brown (famed jazz trumpeter) and his talent was admired by the best of musicians. Among others in his career, he performed with Chris Potter, Jim Ferguson, Cannonball Adderly, Tommy Newsom, Bill Watrous, Woody Herman, the Clark Terry Big Band, Bucky Pizzarelli, Phil Woods and Urbie Green. He performed at Spoleto in Charleston when the first jazz was introduced to that festival. He was one of the founders of Main Street Jazz where he and Veron Melonas combined great food with great jazz. Johnny brought in the talent and performed with many of the groups. For several years, his was the house band at the Pirates' Cove (night club in the Capital Cabana Motor Inn) where they backed up such eclectic acts as Joi Lansing and Henny Youngman. His band performed for weddings, at clubs, for shows, and Republican fund raisers all over South Carolina. As an educator, he was former band director at Pelion High School. In 2009, a former student influenced by him had an endowment established in his name at Clemson University which provides a Grant-in-Aid to trumpet players in the Clemson University Tiger Band with preferences going to Pelion High School graduates (Johnny Helms Endowed CUTBA Grant-in-Aid). A very private person, he spoke with his horn. His unique musical ability and personality made him a person not-to-be forgotten. His friends surely won't. Bebop and swing are alive and well in heaven with Clark Terry and Johnny taking fours. His body was donated to the USC School of Medicine. Special thanks to all at the Marion Suite of Palmetto Richland Heart Center who treated him with such care and kindness. Memorials may be made to Clemson Foundation, for Johnny Helms Endowed CUTBA Grant-in-Aid, P.O. Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633; or to St. Peter's Catholic School, 1035 Hampton St., Columbia, SC 29201; or to the Jazz Program, USC School of Music, 813 Assembly St., Columbia, SC 29208. Please earmark your memorial in his name. He was a quiet giver and we know he'd be honored.