Francis W. Laidlaw

dear frank, and members of his family and friends, just reading frank's obituary again makes me smile at all the wonderful paths in life and his indomitable wit, brilliance, humility, and powerful artistry. a true renaissance person. i have so many memories of playing with him and his openness to just about everything. i interviewed frank for my phd dissertation in the 1980s which will become a book titled blood drum spirit, on world music, african drumming, and jazz, and he was a fount of...

dear family and friends of frank laidlaw, i knew frank mostly as a musician, and he was the eminent artist in every style he played, with depth, intensity, and total musicality. all this with an unending joy, giving everyone who knew or heard him a smile that lasts forever. i miss frank, and would give anything to see, hang out, and play with him again. you brought and still bring, joy and goodness to countless people in your life, frank, and i will keep you in my thoughts, my music, and...

dear friends and family of frank laidlaw, is it 6 years since frank has passed and i still miss him greatly. he would always come to a performance with a great vibes and smile. his great personal and musical feeling was infectious and every time i played with him it was an incredible evening, no matter where, a small club, a big concert hall, or a crowded stage. his spirit is with us and i will keep frank in my music and life, always, in spirit and music!

on this fifth anniversary of frank's passing, i remember how wide ranging his abilities and expertise were. i new him primarily through music and he played with such creativeness, grace, and depth that every time he was on the bandstand or concert hall, the group lit up and played with intensity, joy, and exploring new areas. it was an honor to play with frank, to learn from his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz and history (pages in my phd dissertation), and most of al,l to have him as a...

dear family and friends of frank laidlaw,

reading through far's obituary gave me a sense of the incredible renaissance person he was. i knew hoim primarily. as a fellow musician and friend and he. was outstanding is his deep artistry in the early styles of jazz - new orleans, chicago, swing - but he was fluent in many others throughout jazz history. a great force, not only in his playing, but also his brilliant knowledge, insights, and personal memories. he played with a who's who...

dear frank and family, i will keep you in my music and my heart always. a great musician and human being, his music lives in us. in spirit and music, royal hartigan

Dear Laidlaw Family,
We have so many fond memories of Frank.Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss.
Nabih and Marilyn Nejaime

I only had the occasion to meet him once at an after party celebrating the showing of the Cherry Cottage Film he was involved with.
He was a thoroughly engaging fellow, and as I know nothing about music, we chatted for a bit on a subject not mentioned above, sports cars. Something neither one of our mothers approved of. ;-)
Jim Lillie

dear family and friends of frank,

i am saddened to hear of frank's passing and i knew him form playing drums with him in many places in the berkshires and a few in the pioneer valley. he was a brilliant musician, improviser, and creative artist, and every time he got on a bandstand he brought smiles to everyone's faces. in addition to his high intellect, he played and lived form the heart.

i will miss him greatly and will always treasure our times together, including an...