Frederick Tupper Saussy III

Tupper Saussy, III - Nashville, TN -Frederick Tupper Saussy, III, died on March 16, 2007, at his home on Belle Meade Boulevard in Nashville, of natural causes. Born July 3, 1936 in Statesboro, Georgia, he graduated from the University of the South in 1957. He was a gifted solo pianist and made his debut recording, Jazz at Suwannee, while still a student. His Tupper Saussy Quartet made numerous original recordings. He wrote classical chamber music and a piano concerto performed by the Nashville Symphony. In 1970, after he formed the Neon Philharmonic with Don Gant, Tupper's pop single Morning Girl was nominated for two Grammys. The Neon Philharmonic released two albums with Warner Brothers. As partner and creative director of McDonald Saussy Advertising Agency, he created campaigns noted for their surrealism and punning wit. Not content to limit his talents to the fields of music and advertising, he also engaged in literature, history, culinary arts, theatre, and painting. His political and social commentary includes the books The Miracle on Main Street, Tennessee Waltz, and Rulers of Evil. His objections to the nature of the Federal income tax and monetary systems gained him unwelcome attention from the government, resulting in a trial and conviction. He never retracted his arguments. In 2003 Tupper's music was rediscovered with the release of Neon Philharmonic /Brilliant Colors: The Complete Warner Brothers Recordings, a career retrospective. At the time of his death he had just completed The Chocolate Orchid Piano Bar, a CD of new and previously unreleased songs. A celebration of the record's release is scheduled for Saturday, March 24th, at the Basement, 1604 8th Avenue South, in Nashville. Tupper is survived by a sister, Mary Melinda S. Myers, of Statesboro, Georgia, and a brother, Thomas Saussy, of Tampa, Florida; his wife from a previous marriage, FrEdErique Louise Blanco of San German, Puerto Rico; one daughter, Melinda Saussy Miller of Phoenix, Arizona; a stepdaughter, Alexia Camille Vallord; and three sons, Caleb Powell Haun Saussy of Guilford, Connecticut; Pierre Philippe Saussy of Miami, Florida; Laurent Amaury Saussy of Los Angeles, California; and five grandchildren. A memorial service in his honor will be held on Friday, March 23rd, at Christ Church Cathedral. The family visitation will begin at 12:30 and the service at 2:00. The burial is planned for Monday, March 26th, at 10 a.m., in Eastside Cemetery, 196 Northside Drive Statesboro, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Musicares Foundation, 3402 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, California 90405 (attn. Mohsin Adam), or at www.musicares.com < " rel="nofollow, noindex" class="obit-text-link">www.musicares.com> . Savannah Morning News March 22, 2007 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at www.savannahnow.com