James E. Sellars

I am his 4th cousin and I am currently studying playing the alto saxophone. I never got to meet him of course but his music is a true work of art. May he be always remembered as a wonderful composer, cousin, and family member.

So sad to hear of the passing of James Sellars, my composition teacher when I was at the Hartt School in the early nineties.
I always felt he was the only one at Hartt who really got me. I miss his humor and warmth.
I still have a short Instant composition he had written for me, I believe he wrote as I stood there watching. Persistent Dan. His nod to my love of Minimalism. But being true to his teaching nature he added a post script, Anyway, Persistent Dan is not Minimalist! Its...

I studied Composition with James in the late 70s and early 80s; no teacher had a more profound impact on me. I even had the privilege of living in that vibrant house on Albany Ave. for one year, renting a room on the top floor. It was a heady experience for a young composer -- James was not just a musician but an artistic thinker, a composer whose work brimmed with ideas. He understood and responded to his times in ways I still find ingenious. And the home he made with Gary and Robert...

I will miss your humor. God bless, Love.

I'm so sorry for your loss Gary and Robert. James was a shining light in Hartford. He was an inspiration to many. I have many fond memories visiting your home especially the dinner honoring Virgil Thompson and staying up to midnight waiting for the night blooming cerus to bloom.

May you Rest In Peace along with your seven lovely Aunts.

In only short meetings did I know James, but in those brief moments, I cherished his creativity.

James, I love you for the rest of my life. You and Gary and Robert and Finn changed everything for me. What is everything? A small part of everything is: participation (and acceptance!) in an atmosphere of genius joyful abandon, tenderness, loyalty, ravishing sensuality, ecstatic music making and and its reenactment, observing wondrous guests who were so attracted to your household (who were making special stops in Hartford), seeing how you all inspired younger people not just to achieve,...

I am heartbroken to learn of the death of my old, dear friend and mentor, James Sellars. I consider myself unfathomably lucky to have met Jim in 1982, and to have been immediately welcomed into his extended family of musicians, writers, artists, and activists. Ever-present in my memory are the 1980s and 90s years of salon afternoons with Jim, Gary, Robert, Finn, and a coterie of genuinely original artists and intellectualsall of whom were a profoundly positive influence on my life and work....