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Stuart J. Rosenberg
Stuart J. Rosenberg
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Stuart Rosenberg Obituary
Stuart Rosenberg was a gifted musician, a lifelong artist who touched the lives of thousands in his role as a celebrated band leader. He was known for his long and energetic horahs that set the dance floor ablaze. Music was only one among his many other talents: he was an artist, a writer, a raconteur, a snappy dresser, an endlessly quotable conversationalist. Immensely beloved by his community – a community made up by everyone who had the pleasure and the fortune to know him – and by his friends and family, his immense gifts and his tremendous spirit immeasurably enriched us all. With his keen eye for connection, he spent decades bringing together new friendships, bandmates, and collaborators, in spectacular constellations of creativity.
His children were his everything. His daughter Allegra, and son Theo, gave him the greatest joy in his life. He will be remembered for his dedication to supporting them, through long messages of affirmation and encouragement, and always being there to answer the phone, whether it be day or night. Not once did he ever miss a chance to tell his children how much he loved them, and how proud and happy he was to be their father. His adored wife, Rachel, was his companion for over 30 years, sharing memorable adventures around the world, in art, music, and food.
As a steadfast member of the Chicago music community, Stuart could be seen on stages around the city and around the country as a member of bands such as the Rogues, the Laketown Buskers, and the legendary Otters. He organized free shows at Navy Pier featuring the likes of Iris Dement and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and his eclectic shows on WBEZ, Earth Club and Radio Gumbo, introduced new and rare sounds from around the world to passionate cult audiences. Writing music listings for Chicago Magazine for many years, he made sure that the rich musical culture of the city did not go unmissed by anyone. He played and programmed the biannual Greater Chicago Jewish Festival, and for many years taught klezmer at the Old Town School of Folk Music. In his basement recording studio, Long Dog Studios, he was a talented engineer and producer, facilitating recording for artists like Catherine Russell, Alberto Mizrahi, Brothers Lazaroff, and many more.
One of his proudest legacies was the founding of the Society of the Preservation of Arts and Culture in Evanston in the 1980s, as a homegrown Evanston do-it-yourself storefront music venue. He then had the opportunity to relaunch the SPACE in 2006 on Chicago Avenue, and it was his passionate creative vision for an intimate space for music performance and gathering that was the foundation of the venue as it still exists to the joy of the North Shore today.
For Stuart, coming together for celebrations of life was his raison d'etre. He lived to bring joy and bring music into our hearts. Let us all celebrate his life in every way we can.
Service Friday 10AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival: Greater Chicago Jewish Festival
P.O. Box 5215, Skokie, IL 60076 https://jewishfestival.org/donate/
To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dana Shepard Treister and Dr Michael Roy Treister
May 20, 2024
Stuart's "Music for Celebration" was a truly special component of our son Jeremy and daughter-in-law Rachel's Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony and reception almost 30 years ago - such a special assemblage of musical talent. Aside from his huge musical talent, Stuart's recommendations for the timing for all the various elements of the reception were spot-on. And he was so knowledgeable regarding sound level issues, and how to modify a space with an inherently high noise level. But - back to the musical talent - our kids wanted a Klezmer element - no problem! They wanted jazz - no problem. The fact that we have such strong memories of Stuart's presence in "orchestrating" the entire evening - almost thirty years later speaks volumes...
Our deepest sympathies to the family, and who all who knew and loved this very special mensch~
Barbara Kapp
May 13, 2024
January - October 2012...
How fortunate was I to have been Stuart's student in the Sephardic Ensemble at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Hana'ava Ba Banot runs through my head as I remember what a lovely guy and brilliant educator Stuart was. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. May his memory be a blessing.
J.R. Zumwalt
May 12, 2024
Traveling abroad I just learned of Stuart passing. Reading others thoughts about this wonderful man brings me to this, I´ll miss you Stuart. Such a wondrous and unique soul. It´s amazing how many intersections we met within. The Jewish world, the world of music, and where these places are one and the same. You were an effervescent soul and knowing you was such a blessing. Forever peace!
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Doug Adair
May 12, 2024
I know Stuart has not been well but the news of his passing leaves me in shock. He and I were friends and played music together in Chicago 40 years ago. He could play the Hell out of his Fiddle and with my loud voice and ringing guitar we could "rock just about any house" with just the two of us! Great times and great memories! My thoughts go out to his family and many friends everywhere. We´re gonna miss you buddy. Pick in Peace.
Richard Friedman
May 12, 2024
Stuart worked with me as our folk music maven at a cultural center up in Libertyville, IL, now best known as the boyhood home of Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine.
His incredible impresario skills brought this sleepy Lake County organization into the spotlight when Stuart programmed an amazing free concert at the downtown Navy Pier, featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Howard Levy and Iris Dement. So many people flocked to the Pier that it had to be shut down. This great concert was broadcast live on WBEZ - all due to Stuart´s drive, impeccable musical taste and ability to persuade people to help his fantastic dreams become reality. Stuart´s brilliance produced a rare artistic alchemy and his indomitable spirit brought joy to his family, friends, collaborators and anyone fortunate enough to hear him play.
He will be missed by us all.
Richard Friedman
Donald Jacobs
May 11, 2024
My friends can confirm or clarify this story.
Stuart saw Woody Allen when he was still doing stand-up comedy in 1972.
It's my understanding that he passed a note backstage to Woody saying that he had a Dixieland band, and would Woody like to play with the Dixieland band?
I was in that band, the Royal Blue Tinkertoy Dixieland Band, led by Howard Prager. Stuart was a friend of ours, but it wasn't his band. No matter, here.
Stuart told us that Woody would be at his house that Friday afternoon.
It seemed too good to be true, but we weren't going to pass this up!
My friend Mike Willens picked me up, and we went to Stuart's family's home in Skokie.
And Woody was there, with his clarinet!
I remember that when he played the clarinet, he closed his eyes and rotated his trunk a bit to the right and to the left. He was really into the music!
He didn't crack jokes.
I was a fan of his movies, but I didn't want to gush over him. But eventually I asked him if he liked making movies.
I may not be remembering his answer quite correctly, but I recall he said that he did, as long as it wasn't too difficult.
I was also impressed with his argyle socks.
Stuart did record the session on a reel-to-reel tape deck. I think Woody was there for at least three hours.
It was a wonderful experience, and I have Stuart to thank for this.
Don Jacobs
Joe Rosenberg
May 10, 2024
We shared the same last name, which gave us a special connection, and we had many good times in & around the Blind Faith Cafe, such a joyful person who spread love, laughs, & music. Joe Rosenberg
Gloria Gutter
May 10, 2024
Sincere condolences to all of Stuart´s
family & friends. He was a dear cousin to my son-in-law: David Lazaroff Gloria Gutter
Kathy Kelly
May 10, 2024
About 90 minutes before the service today, I felt like I´d been hit by a bolt of inspiration, and it almost seemed like I was channeling Studs Terkel or something. I wrote this quickly, and then posted on Facebook before walking out to go to the funeral. I added to it this afternoon, after the service. Stuart, your children were magnificent, professing their love of you and your love of them and their Mom, Rachel. I was blown away by the love in that room today-the friends and loved ones overflowing the room, into the lobby, and even out on the driveway outside. The head rabbi and the cantors, your musical friends and collaborators, and all in all, the testament by so many of the incredible life you lived and the legacy of love and joy you leave behind. Amazing, Stuie-just amazing. Congratulations on a life so very well lived, and on a job so very well done. This is what i wrote this morning before coming to your funeral:
I sure am going to miss you, Stuart Rosenberg. Your gentle, kind spirit, your exquisite musicianship, combined with an infinite well of intellectual curiosity, and just your...YOUness. I don´t want to go to your funeral today, because that would mean that you are no longer in this world, bopping along humming a new improvised melody that reminds me of...something, and just making the world better by connecting-everything and everybody! Connecting people-always connecting people-AND ideas, and just spreading love and kindness and care and compassion. My goodness, you even lived on Bobolink Drive, which, if I didn´t know any better, might be a new style of a Stuart Rosenberg-invented form of bluegrassy-classical-jazz! As in, (thinking back to many years before...)
"oh look-here comes Stuart Rosenberg! You know, he´s the guy who´s one of the founders of Evanston Space-that new place that´s got a triple mission, a multi-space-kinda-project, and that´s just to start with! It´s the coolest new music venue on the planet, it´s right down the street on Chicago Avenue in Evanston, but it´s also a recording studio, where Michael Smith will record his musings on songwriting, but also on creative inspiration, like his many inspirations for all the great music he wrote. I was in that little audience in that little room that was a recording studio-by the way, and I´m sure that was Stuart´s idea! And then, they also have a restaurant in the front, where you can go get your own little pizza in a box, so you don´t interrupt the artist who´s playing, with the usual clangy plates & silverware, and waitresses trying to whisper your order back to you but she gets it wrong, and you correct her and she laughs and says, `oh! I thought you said sausage and rubbarooms, not musharooms!´ and you both laugh and the artist looks up, then, as if to say: `can I continue?!´ Well, Stuart knew not to let that happen, so he set it up a whole other way, smart guy that he is..."
I don´t know for sure if that was Stuart´s idea, but it sounds just like him, doesn´t it? And, you know-speaking of music-he´s the guy who invented *Bobolink*!!! You know, that new fusion between bluegrass & jazz and, I don´t know-classical-artsong-SERIOUS music?! It´s SOOOO cool, and because of that, they named the street he lives on "Bobolink Drive"!!! He´s so dang creative and smart as a whip, but the best part is, he´s the nicest guy in the world! He just worships his kids & his wife, he´s encouraging his daughter´s foray into songwriting and just...writing all kinds of stuff, and he´s traveling with his son to every major league ballpark in the country!!! Well, at least he´s trying to! I sure hope he makes it, because he´s the kind of guy you´re just pulling for, no matter what he does! He´s just that kind of guy! And he´s just that kind of Dad..."
Right around that time, Studs stopped dictating that stream of consciousness thing to me, and i came back to reality, sadder than ever. All I know is this: I love you Stuart Rosenberg, and I´m really gonna miss you! Miss knowing you´re out there bopping along (bobbing along?!) at the edges of the cool, of art and of music, making the world a better place, all the time. We´re all really gonna miss you, Stuie. But more importantly-thanks, Stuie. Thanks for everything you ever did that made us better and bigger in heart and soul! Thanks for everything, pal. We´ll see you on the other side, my friend,-playing that Klezmer dance at that big music hall...over there. We all love you, Stuart Rosenberg. And just because you loved Irish music, here´s an Irish blessing for you, lad. For the multiculturalist you always were, WAAAAY ahead of your time....
May the road rise to meet you and may the wind be always at your back. May all the love and light that exists in the universe of souls, surround you as your ancestors welcome you home. And until we meet again, my friend, may the good Lord-the Spirit, as you called it-hold you in the peace and comfort of its beloved hand. Amein.
Kathy Kelly
Guy Lawrence (Ederheimer III)
May 10, 2024
Busking, playing music and singing among the customers eatin' at Bub City. A fond memory. Peace...
Mitch Pravatiner
May 10, 2024
My first exposure to Stuart Rosenberg's work was when I became a regular listener to his shows on WBEZ. I loved those shows. I still do. I was very unhappy when the station cancelled them. At some level, I still am.
A couple of years later, he hosted a one-off live show at the Chicago Cultural Center, where there were performances of the same kinds of music, and other material, that he had played on the radio. I enjoyed it immensely. In retrospect, it would have been nice if there could have been more such performances, both live and on the radio.
His death leaves both the Chicago radio scene, and the Chicago cultural scene more generally, both significantly better off for his having been a part of them, and significantly less well off now that he no longer is.
Wylie
May 10, 2024
I met Stuart when he was the host of Radio Gumbo. When he married my friend Rachel Rosenberg, I had the incredible pleasure of remaining in their lives for decades to come. As a couple, they were a force to be reckoned with...let his memory be a blessing.
Robert Render
May 10, 2024
I have known Stuart through Beth Emet and Jeff Klepper and from the health club and from our mutual friend Mike Shevick and him playing at all my kids B'nai mitzvahs, one of which featured Stuart playing Irish music as my daughter and her friends performed Irish dance and seeing him at Space and with his family and many other connections. I think the best was being in the EAC after we all worked out and sang songs in the locker room in our unclothed state with abandon. Bring joy wherever you are Stuart.
Gary Jay Paul
May 10, 2024
The Rosenberg's were my second family when I was 16-17, and Stuart was like a kid brother. My earliest memories of Stuart was when he was playing the electric violin in his Indian sheet tented bedroom on Springfield, as for a time, I was the fifth son hanging out at the Rosenberg's: Before he could drive, he made his way to the Arie Crown Theater with free concert tickets as "George Tirebiter", a reporter for Beat Magazine! I joined him when he serenaded tourists at the Dan Carmel hotel in Haifa, Israel, as he was Beth Emet's Leo Beck Scholar and I was in school in Jerusalem. He introduced me to Woody Allen as Stuart & Co. jammed in his parent's Dining Room in 1972. We kept up over the years and always enjoyed a conversation. Stuart was an original and he forged a path that was unique and his gifts were shared with so many. My condolences to my old friend Aaron, and Robert, and to Rachel and Stuart's family.
Steven Weil
May 10, 2024
He played at my wedding
Mark Bloom
May 10, 2024
One of the greatest Menschy-Musicians I´ve encountered in my lifetime. May Stuart´s life serve as an inspiration as we continue celebrating his spirit & talent moving forward. He was one-of-a-kind. Thoughts of joy fill my heart via the musical moments. Sadness in his passing. z"l
Laurel Denison
May 10, 2024
My heart is breaking. Stuart was one of the kindest men on the planet. We first met in 1979 when he worked at the new, but short lived, Pearce Arrow Recording Studios in Evanston. Our friendship continued throughout the years in spite of miles between us. There was that time I visited him during my adventure to see strange things in America and he went with me to see and play a round of golf at a miniature golf course in the basement of a funeral home near Skokie. That time he let me sit in at his radio show. That time we randomly ran into each other at O´Hare. Those times he visited us in Rye, NH and the last time, just two years ago, having lunch on my porch in Somersworth, NH. All those times he played "Orange Blossom Special" on the fiddle for me. He was a true gentleman with a huge heart and a delightful spirit. Oh, how I will miss him.
My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Rachel, Allegra and Theo. You were his greatest loves. His pride. His joy. I feel your heartache. My husband passed away the day before Stuart did. My grief has doubled. I hope they will find each other and play some music together in Heaven. RIP, dear Stuart.
Paul Batlan
May 9, 2024
Stuart in an Evanston apartment with an old Gibson mandolin on the couch, getting up to crank his Edison Victrola and play me an old timed 78 RPM record at the Pink Flamingo circa 1977. He later introduced me to Jethro Burns. Last time I saw Stu was in 2018, drove my daughter Hanna then a University of Chicago Junior to see him at Kaufman's (?) Deli on Dempster in Skokie playing a Sunday morning gig with his blue grass band. Had not seen him since 1978-9 but he gave me a huge hug and the years slipped away. I am devastated.
Vivienne Jones
May 9, 2024
Dearest Rachel, Allegra, and Theo, what a most beautiful remembrance of Stuart/your dad's life. Rachel, we so loved getting to know you and Stuart during Covid spending relaxing evenings by the bonfire. What about those wonderful concerts where we all gathered around your front garden and on the street to listen to great music played by Stuart and friends and produced by you, Rachel, giving us all a glorious respite during the very anxious Covid years? We fondly remember Stuart's time, talent, kindness, and encouragement to our daughter when working together on the violin to play Edelweiss at my mum's celebration of life. Thank you for these great times that we will cherish and look forward to spending special time with you.
Steve and Rebecca Singer
May 9, 2024
My wife and I remember meeting Stuart and Rachel in their old house - in the dining room as we started to collaborate on recordings for Listen Up! I remember the kids when they were so young... along with our kids. He was always so warm and wise and encouraging. We'll miss you, Stu.
Evelyn Daitchman
May 9, 2024
Oh my, so many memories with Stuart. He and Joan Grossman opened " The Space" in that small loft like space in about 1981 behind "The Weiner and Still Champion" on Dempster St... that time opened up my life in Evanston and life in general in countless ways. I learned so much there and got to teach Massage for the first time in that space. I used to massage Stuart`s mother and she made me the most wonderful gefilte fish and gave me my first down comforter, still being used till this day. We really alter one another´s lives in ways we often never see or imagine.
May Stuart´s soul know peace and love.
Ethan Dan
May 9, 2024
Stuart was an awesome neighbor. Literally full of surprises! I grew up on bobolink, but never really was acquainted with Stuart. Only as of recent, maybe 4 years have I starting talking with Stuart. He was a very kind, smart, and hospitable man. He even offered to come over and play the mandolin for me once! All in all, Stuart was a joy to be around. He will be missed
Beth
May 8, 2024
This is a very sad loss and my deepest condolences go out to Stuart's wife and kids. My family and friends and I will always remember how he lit my son's Bar Mitzvah on fire 11 years ago.
Jamie O'Reilly
May 8, 2024
When I met Stuart, I was living a glass-half full life, with music, friends and family, and my beloved Chicago seemingly all I needed. With Stuart, the glass was soon brimming over with the enthusiasm with which he approached nearly everything; not the least of which was the all-in interest and loyalty he offered. He used to say he learned phrasing from hearing me sing, and certainly I learned about the world of culture and music from listening to him. His radio show brought us magic on Sundays unlike anything we hear today. But it was his heart - literally and figuratively - that became his compass. The love of family as his greatest joy, and I lucked out to be included in the clan. Our lives gained color, sophistication, humor and wild adventure just being around him. I am so grateful we spoke recently, and he knew about the new baby in the family. I'm lucky. I've known good souls who've make a profound difference in my life. There will NEVER be another Stuart.
Jamie O'Reilly
Joel Beckerman
May 8, 2024
It was always a pleasure to attend a family event or have dinner with Stuart. Such a kind, wise and fun person.
Laura Bentz
May 8, 2024
Stuart had an extraordinarily large impact on the musical life of my husband and thus family. His memory will *always* be a blessing.
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