Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Eutrice Shell Obituary
Lott, Texas on December 31, 1928 to Simmie Lee and Johnnie Shell. He died on April 11 in a Scottsdale nursing home. He began playing piano as a child and later studied valve trombone at Chicago's
DuSable High School with music educator and band director Walter Dyett. Shell honed his arranging skills while a member of the Tennessee State Collegians big-band at Tennessee State University and also at the Navy School of Music. During his service in the Air Force, Shell became "chief arranger" for the Strategic Air Command Band at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. He performed and toured with Gene Ammons and Gene McDaniels, and became the house pianist at Chicago's original Regal Theater where he appeared with Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and others. Shell teamed up with Jesse Jackson and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1970 to arrange for and record their Operation Breadbasket Orchestra and Choir for Chess Records. Sun Ra and other nationally known musicians have performed and recorded his arrangements, and his works have been featured in concerts at the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music. Shell was a spiritual man and follower of Sant Mat, remembered by many as a humble and self-effacing friend and musical mentor. He will be interred with full honors at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Eutrice Shell
Ted Goddard
April 12, 2025
To anyone who knew Prince's arranging skills, I have created digital files (PDF) of the nearly 130 custom charts that make up "The Prince Shell Tentet Library." For information, please contact me through Local 586, American Federation of Musicians in Phoenix.
Ted Goddard
April 12, 2024
Prince sharing a laugh with 10tet saxophonist Virgil Lane Jr. at the Chandler Jazz Festival, 2003.
Bill Lieske
April 12, 2023
I was fortunate to have played with Prince at the Sky Room and later, thanks to Ted Goddard, in the 10~tet. I once asked Prince about writing drum parts and he said. "Oh, just give them a copy of the first trumpet part." Practical wisdom!
Frank Smith
May 3, 2022
I have 3 memories to share.
First. I remember performing with Prince several times and one thing I really enjoyed was his comping. He had a knack for being able to get real ambiguous harmonically. So if I started going "outside" his harmonic choices gave me all the rope I needed.(LOL).
Along those same lines, I still marvel at how he was able to quote "Claire De Lune" just about anytime he wanted to AND make it fit!!!
Finally, Prince was a man of few words. I will never forget his answer to my question, "how you doing Prince?" He described a car he saw driving down his street that morning. Because of this uniquely Prince way of speaking, I deemed him the Zen master.
DOUGLAS JOHN BASMAJIAN
April 12, 2022
Prince comes to mind very often. Not only was he an amazing, talented and accomplished musician, he was a loving, generous, and caring human being. I miss Prince a lot.
Prince & Patricia Myers
Ted Goddard
April 12, 2021
Prince with Patricia Myers
profile
Ted Goddard
April 13, 2020
Ted Goddard
April 13, 2020
Here is the link to a wonderful web page Allan Chase created in memory of Prince:
https://allanchase.com/prince-shell-in-memoriam
Ted Goddard
June 12, 2007
Friends and admirers of Prince might be interested in this. His funeral director requested that Batesville’s Living Memorial Program, which is administered in cooperation with the US Forest Service, plant a tree in a national forest to serve as a memorial to Prince. This has been done as part of a major US reforestation project. The tree species and location are determined by the Forest Service based on greatest need. Peace & blessings.
Eddie Katz
May 19, 2007
I was humbled by and admired Prince for his vast Knowledge.I was privileged to perform with him at the Century Sky Room in the late 70's. Interviewed Prince about his musical career for Valley Music Magazine debut issue. Spiritually we both studied Sant Mat and connected with Radha Soami. Truly a wonderful human being.I will miss him.
Doug Basmajian
April 28, 2007
I will never forget Prince's litte, slow nod, as a humble ackowledgement of the huge applause, caused by one of his haunting and beautiful piano solos.
It never mattered when I stopped by at Prince's little home, he was always ready to play some records, hand out some priceless charts, and maybe give a "blindfold test", where you had to tell him who was playing each instrument on the cut. He was a true jazz mentor and educator, in the rare old tradition. One time I visited Prince, and he was writing a complete big-band arangement for a Frank Sinatra concert. We will probably never know all the amazing musical accomplishments of Prince, as he was so quiet and humble. All of us who knew him, and heard him play, know that we were in the prescence of greatness, and we will love him and remember him forever.
Regina Nash-Bright
April 27, 2007
The music world experienced a true die heart jazz legend during the life of "Prince". His inspiring words of wisdom, spirituality and since of calmness in this life will be forever missed. Within my heart I'll still prepare that special dinner order of catfish, mustard greens, candied yams and hot water cornbread.
Ronald and Reginald Scott
April 21, 2007
Those days in your small and cluttered house off of Roser Road became my classroom and blessed sanctuary. I still apply those lessons to my everyday musical and personal meditation.You remain forever in our hearts and soul
Devon Bridgewater
April 21, 2007
Prince,
You turned me on to Fats Navarro and Clifford Brown. Your humor and wit will stay with us forever. Proud to have worked with you on gigs throughout Phoenix and as a member of the "Prince Shell Quintet." Thanks for your instruction and quiet patience. Adios, Maestro.
bruce and Tina marinics
April 20, 2007
You bring great memories of all the people you have touched in your life.
bruce marinics
April 20, 2007
Prince,
Tina and I respected you and will always cherish
you as a good friend and a mentor to the music
we loved.
Reginald Scott
April 19, 2007
Prince Shell was a mentor and friend who taught so many of us the true meaning of "musicality". On behalf of myself and my twin brother, I want to say "Thank You Prince" for imparting your wisdom and your grace. Reginald and Ronald Scott.
John Mueller
April 19, 2007
I only met Prince once though I have heard of him for the last 25 years. He was a great friend of all jazz musicians in the Phoenix area and brought much to the music scene. He will be greatly missed.
jack radavich
April 18, 2007
Prince was a great influence to me when I began playing in Phoenix-He was very patient- He was a man with deep talent that was gifted to everyone he worked with
Morrie Bowden
April 18, 2007
I had not met Prince, but I was fortunate to have played some of his arrangements with the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Jazz Band during the past few years. He was a true original of an arranger and they are a pleasure to play. I only wish I had met him to thank him for his contributions to jazz.
PLAY ON PRINCE
April 18, 2007
David Valdivia
April 18, 2007
Soft spoken always humble and generous with a gentle spirit is how I will always remember my friend Prince. My life took a turn when I first met Prince in the early 70s at the Skyroom and EL Banditos AND I am grateful and thankful to God for sharing with me such a good friend. DAVID
Prince Shell
Ted Goddard
April 18, 2007
It was such a pleasure to know Prince, both as a musician and a friend. He left this life with the full expectation that his spiritual journey continues, blessed by the goodness he spread and left behind.
Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results
Make a Donation
in Eutrice Shell's name
Memorial Events
for Eutrice Shell
How to support Eutrice's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Eutrice Shell's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
