What is your first memory of O'Donel? Share a favorite memory you have of O'Donel. Tell us about a special moment you shared with O'Donel. Describe a time when O'Donel made you laugh or smile. What is something you will always remember about O'Donel? Talk about a shared experience you had with O'Donel. What is something you did together that you enjoyed? Describe a place or activity that reminds you of O'Donel. Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving O'Donel. What is something you learned from O'Donel?

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Obituary

Guest Book

O'Donel Levy Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 15, 2016.

O'Donel was born on September 20, 1945 and passed away on Monday, March 14, 2016. O'Donel was a resident of Baltimore, Maryland.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign O'Donel Levy's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Recent Activity

March 31, 2025

Laurel posted to the memorial.

February 12, 2025

Adan Rivera posted to the memorial.

May 20, 2021

Mandy Breedlove posted to the memorial.

19 Entries

Laurel

March 31, 2025

Always missed.

Adan Rivera

February 12, 2025

I just stumbled across Mr. Levy's amazing music. He was such a talented and fluent player, and I was saddended to hear about his passing. His music has opened my eyes to funk and jazz that I listen to on repeat all day. May God allow him to play his guitar freely for eternity.

Mandy Breedlove

May 20, 2021

Rest easy dear cousin. We will never forget you
-Mandy "Peep-Squeak" Levy

Ken Karsh

July 15, 2020

I just found out now about ODonels death. What a great player he was. I didnt know him personally, but I can only imagine what a beautiful human being he was based on his musical gifts. My belated condolences. Rest in power, Butch, with all of the greats who have surely welcomed you into Heavens music space.

How you can show support

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Follow this page

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Roger Rader

November 15, 2019

Sorry to hear of Butch's passing. I recall so many wonderful nights at the King of France Tavern, Annapolis.
Play on Butch... you will be missed - your music, your smile, and your soul. Roger Rader

Angie Banks

July 3, 2019

I remember as a little girl my sister and I would watch him pluck the guitar while our dad, Roy Levy, who taught him to play would nod his head in approval. Play on cousin Butch, play on. You and your music will be missed by many...

Barry Butler

March 13, 2018

The Saxohpne and Singapore is not the same without you OD. Gone are the days

Renee Chenault Fattah

September 6, 2017

When I was in college back in the 70's I discovered O'Donel Levy. This morning I came across an old album-Windows and started playing and it brought back the beautiful music. When I googled and saw that he passed last year...so sad. He will live on in his music and the beautiful memories it creates.

Lucas Alfaras

March 11, 2017

Thank you for filling the world with your beautiful music. I am forever thankful to have been touched by your music and you will be greatly missed

John Farmer

January 9, 2017

I spent the years from 1990 through 1993 in Singapore as an expat, and I used to go see him play at the Saxophone Bar regularly. That little bar was always packed when he played! It was a railroad car-shaped room with a long bar down the side, and a narrow stage behind the bar, barely deep enough for a musician on a chair, or a drum set, raised up about 4 feet off the ground. There would reign O'D, sitting in his chair with his guitar and microphone. The rest of the band would all be single file down that narrow stage, raised up against the wall, behind the bar, playing over the heads of the bartenders. It was a dramatic stage and he used it to full advantage to generate fun and energy!

He had a wonderfully outgoing and playful personality, and he always put tons of energy into his funky jazzy jams, working up quite a sweat, his voice and laughter bubbling away and his guitar always fabulous. I remember he had a few other African Americans in his band for a while--a great bass player and a fantastic soulful woman singer. I hired O'D and the woman whose name i can't remember now to play on at least one of the TV commercials I made then, I think for Heineken. One night I told him I was a bass player, and he invited me right up on stage to jam, which I did of course. Still remember that fun night and the view from the stage down on the packed crowd!

I don't know much more about him, though I remember he said he was from Baltimore (I am from DC, so this stuck with me.) Did he stay a long time in Singapore or was it just a year or so? I just found this news of his passing today because I started seeing his name in iTunes as i played 70s jazz, iTunes will recommend other tunes to listen to, and his name and music came up frequently. Now I know a lot more about his music career than I did then. I feel blessed to have known this great man and musician. A real ambassador who spread the love far and wide for everyone. I know he touched thousands just in the time he was in Singapore. Rest in peace O'D.

Christine Padua

January 6, 2017

You were the greatest and will be missed dearly. Your family remains in our prayers. Love, Christine G. Padua and Juan D. Lopez, Glendora, California.

Patricia Brown

October 23, 2016

O'donnell was a dear friend in high school and I sang with his band on sophomore night. His endearing personality remains even after
in death. For some reason I thought of him today. So sorry I didn't know of his passing Great muscian.
Patricia Harris

October 9, 2016

O'Donel was an inspiring human with great talent. I have many wonderful memories of time spent with him in Singapore. With love always clare

Patricia Nah

May 6, 2016

O'D and his band gave us one of the best times at Saxophone bar, Singapore at a time when there was not much happening in the music scene. He would play to a packed sardine crowd all cramped by the bar while he played his sax on top of the tiny bar.
Thank you O D, blessed journey! Thank you for the the Jazz, the buzz and the wonderful memories!

Barry Butler

May 6, 2016

He was my friend from his days in Singapore Many happy hours spent with him and his music at the Saxophone May he play guitar in the heavens

Laurel Jackson

April 8, 2016

Now you can play your music with the angels....but here you will be missed.

Tetnue

March 18, 2016

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. He plays for a higher Host now. Be at peace.

P. Paul

March 23, 2016

Although we're sad that you've left us too soon we know that there's a brighter star in the sky and a jam session going on up there in heaven....R.I.P. O.D you're. gone but never forgotten and thank you for all the music and memories that will live on in our ears, minds and hearts forever.

P. Paul
Saxophone Singapore friend and fan

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results