Arnold Sell

Arnold Jay Sell, age 76, of Pikesville, Maryland died on October 23, 2022, after a lengthy battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) AKA "Lou Gehrig's Disease." Arnold is survived by his son Morgan Peter Sell of San Francisco, California, his brother Barry Irvin Sell of Baltimore, and his brother-cousin Larry Bennett Berman of Baltimore. He was pre-deceased by his wife Joyce Anne (Vaughan) Sell and his parents, Paul Sell and Martha Rebecca (Freedman) Sell. Arnold was a devoted husband, father, family member, and loyal friend to many and always tried to help those in need.

A lifelong resident of Baltimore, Arnold graduated from high school at Baltimore City College. He earned a Bachler of Arts in Psychology from the University of Baltimore and a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland. He became a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in 1971. Arnold helped many individuals and couples. He had a private practice, MarriageWorks, and he was dedicated to counseling others until ALS prevented him from doing so. Arnold helped start the inpatient psychiatric unit at Franklin Square Hospital. He was also a longtime member of the National Association of Social Workers. Arnold enjoyed fishing, golf, skiing, jogging, gardening, traveling, and playing music. At age 11 his love of music began, first with the ukulele, then guitar, and then the banjo which he continued to play throughout his life. He had a sense of adventure, which started as young boy hitchhiking across state lines with his guitar in hand. This continued with regular road trips with his wife, Joy, in their Volkswagen van. He and his beloved son had semi-annual father-son trips ranging from watching bluegrass at The Station Inn in Nashville, becoming PADI scuba certified in Honduras, and surfing in Mexico. Arnold was one of the early young Baltimore newgrass/bluegrass musicians in the late 1960s and taught banjo to many. Some of his students went on to become nationally-known musicians. He and two of his dear friends formed Emerson's Old Timey Custard Sucking Band after playing together at an informal jam session after his wedding in March of 1968. In June of 1970, Emerson's recorded a full-length debut album with producer/engineer George Massenburg at MTI Studios in Hunt Valley. Their self-titled album was played internationally and went to No. 1 in Eugene Oregon, home to the University of Oregon. Emerson's became the house band at The Upstairs, a club at Charles and Madison streets in Mount Vernon, Baltimore, and played there regularly on Friday and Saturday nights. They also played Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary, while Jimmy Hoffa was an inmate. Although the band disbanded and went their separate ways, as times and responsibilities changed, Arnold continued to enjoy playing music throughout his entire life. Some have called their album the original Alt-Grass Album.

Funeral services will be held at Sol Levinson's Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208 on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 2:30 pm. Interment Mikro Kodesh-Beth Israel Cemetery, 6700 Bowleys Lane. Please omit flowers, Contributions in his memory may be directed to ALS Research at Johns Hopkins, The John G. Rangos Building, 855 N. Wolfe Street, Suite 270, Room 232, Baltimore, MD 21205. In mourning at 225 Church Lane, Pikesville, MD 21208 through Saturday evening.