Don Henke

My Brother-My Friend, so intelligent and talented! Gone too soon and so sudden. You had a good life. You followed your passion for the arts, the theatre and the music. Your many friends and musicians helped you achieve your dreams. (Thanks to all of you who attended his two memorial services. I know Don was dancing and singing and so proud to have known you.) I always send you a birthday card on your birthday with the same message "Happy Birthday and All That Jazz!" Well, papajazz,...

I'm saddened by the news of Don's death. He was a tireless supporter of every jazz musician he met or heard, myself included. Whenever I saw his face in the audience, I knew there was at least one cat who was listening intently to every note. I always enjoyed chatting with him about the music and musicians. His warmth for the players, his obvious love for the music and his fierce support will be greatly missed.

For sundry reasons, I didn't learn of Don's passing until several weeks after the fact, and am all the sorrier for it. Don was a good guy who rarely had a harsh word for anyone. I'm glad to have shared a stage with him.

Authentic. That's the single word that I would use for Don Henke. He would have nothing to do with pretenses. You could count on him to be truthful and genuine at all times. He was there to support us all, even in the sweet beginning stages, as I was.
I remember the first time I met him. My friend and I, both jazz lovers, had decided that our children were old enough to be left on their own. So, we headed out to find the REAL MUSICIANS. Those who could play jazz.
Everywhere we went we...

He was a very kind man.

Don has been a big supporter and dear friend from the time I started singing jazz in the early 90's. He had me to his house early on, for an interview when he was working for the Dayton Daily News, and I was amazed at his record collection! His living room was two chairs, and walls and piles of records. He made some tapes of Helen Merrill for me. We were the only two people I knew at the time, who really got her style. She was off the beaten track of jazz singers, so I got a big kick...