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Alan Raph Obituary
Alan Raph, (90) professional musician/composer in the New York/Connecticut area, passed away on December 8th, 2023, at Yale New Haven Hospital, due to an accident. He had a storied career in music throughout his life. Alan was first call player in the '60s and '70s for commercial recording (free lance) in NYC on bass trombone and tuba. He was active in Broadway shows, did solos and clinics for King instruments, and also played the movie "The Wiz" with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.
Alan performed with artists from almost all genres, such as Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, Frankie Avalon, Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughn, Lena Horn, Buddy Morrow, Mel Davis, Bernie Glow, Urbie Green, Wynton Marsalis, Gerry Mulligan, Bill Watrous, Leopold Stokowski and the Larry Elgart band.
He recorded for Quincy Jones, Philip Glass, Peter Nero, John Pizzarelli and Bob Brookmeyer.
He wrote numerous publications for Carl Fischer, edited the Arban Method for Trombone and also collaborated with Bill Watrous, Dave Steinmeyer and Wycliffe Gordon on various method books.
He wrote the music for the Joffrey's signature ballet "Trinity" with Lee Holdridge.
Ted Raph, Alan's father, was a trombone performer as well an arranger.
Alan was currently active, conducting the Danbury Brass Band, which he started 40 years ago. The band has traveled to Bermuda and twice to Australia. Alan was presently rehearsing a concert that was to be performed on December 17th, 2023 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danbury.
Alan is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, sons, Robert and Jason, daughter, Diane, grandchildren, Anastasia, Nicholas, Victor Jr., and sister, Ranney Moss.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Alan Raph
Sponsored by Green Funeral Home - Danbury.
Barry Maur
January 9, 2024
I worked with Alan for over 40 years. First with Urbie´s working band in 1967 and the 21 Trombone albums and then on hundreds of jobs through the years. Alan could play any kind of music. As the great Buddy Morrow (lead with Dorsey at 16 yrs old) said, "Alan is the Urbie Green of the bass trombone".
Alan was one of a kind and can never be replaced.
Barry Maur
Jeff Wurster
December 28, 2023
I am very sorry to hear of Alan's passing and offer my deepest condoleces. He was my trombone teacher in college 1980-81 and I house sat with the dogs the summer of '81. Alan was a tremendous mentor. I have shared so much of what he taught me with my own students through the years.
Jack Zamary
December 20, 2023
Alan had such a profound impact on my life and I am grateful to have called him my friend and mentor. The photo below is how I will always remember Alan; confident, poised and bigger than life. I took this photo during a performance in the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center in the mid 90s. Alan, thank you for the inspiration, the laughs, and showing how to live life fully and completely.
Calumn & Sharon Maclean
December 19, 2023
Dear Mary Ann and family,
Very sorry to hear of Alan´s passing after his tragic accident.
We met Alan and his family on their visit to Darwin , Northern Territory AUSTRALIA on a visit with the Danbury Brass Band.
Calumn and l have many fond memories of our visits to you in New Fairfield. Your kindness to us whilst we stayed in NYC and the assistance you gave to us when Aronne had to be taken to hospital on his second birthday.
Alan allowing Aronne to have a play on his piano.
Our sincere condolences to Mary Ann and Alan´s children. He was a lovely man and well respected by all.
Peter Younghusband
December 18, 2023
Mary Ann, I cannot thank you enough for finding me in Alan's contact list. I brought him and the Danbury Brass Band out to Australia over 20 years ago. As a bass trombonist myself, I grew up playing his music. To meet and be involved with Alan was an absolute honour for me. We had a fabulous time in Karratha, Western Australia for a few days before the band headed over to Sydney and Brisbane. We maintained annual contact exchanging news over the years. Often swapping music and arrangements. I am very proud to be regarded as a friend and colleague of Alan's.
Peter Younghusband
Joan & Ian Lawson
December 17, 2023
Mary Ann and family, so sorry for your loss. Alan will be remembered as a dear friend, a teller of jokes, and a Thursday lunch partner to Ian. We shall miss him. Joan & Ian Lawson
Bruce A. English
December 16, 2023
My deadest condolences to Mary Ann and family.
I´m so dad to lose my teacher, mentor and friend for over 50 years.
There´s a hole in my heart.
Art Mannion
December 14, 2023
I met Alan when we both lived on Candlewood Isle, New Fairfield. He has always been a great guy, ready to help anyone in need, and a wonderful musician. May God bless his eternal soul.
Linda E. Dunn
December 14, 2023
Mary Ann....no words are sufficient enough to say how very sorry I am for your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Linda (Dunn) your hiking partner.
Marti Fine
December 13, 2023
Mary Ann and family,
Dave and I are so saddened to learn of your sudden loss. You are in our thoughts and we hope your memories of Alan will be a blessing. Lean on those who bring you comfort and strength.
Danbury Cultural Commission
December 13, 2023
Alan always created enjoyable experiences for his audience with the Danbury Brass Band. He will be greatly missed by the Danbury Cultural Commission who for years supported his efforts to bring wonderful musical performances to our community for so many years, May his memory be a blessing for all music lovers.
Dean, Deb and Meg Hollrah, Tom, Kaitlin and Linden Tharp
December 12, 2023
Sorry for your loss. What a accomplished man he was. We are sending peace, love and comfort your way.
Dean, Deb and Megan Hollrah, Tom, Kaitlin and Linden Tharp
Joe Choomack
December 11, 2023
Maryann and family,
So sorry to hear about the unexpected passing of Alan.
I have many fond memories of playing tuba with the Danbury Brass Band under Alan´s direction. I was fortunate to be on both tours of Australia and New Zealand as well as some fun trips to Bermuda. I still remember the look on Alan´s face when a photo of me and one of the other tuba players wearing black Bermuda shorts appeared on the front page of a Hamilton newspaper the day after an outdoor concert.
Alan told the band in no uncertain terms we must wear long black pants. He actually did crack a smile when he discussed our transgressions.
Here in Naples, Florida the past thirteen years I often speak of Alan and my adventures with the band to other musicians who knew his name.
Rest in peace Alan.
Joe Choomack
Angela Jennings
December 11, 2023
Heartfelt condolences to Mary Ann, Jason, Robert, Diane and all the Raph family on your sad loss of Alan. May his gentle soul R.I.P.
Victoria
December 11, 2023
Mary Ann and family, so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all during this time of sorrow.
Victoria Foulke
Peggy Stewart
December 11, 2023
Dear Mary Ann,
My condolences to you and your family for Alan´s sudden passing. I hope you will find comfort in the memories you made together and the love of your family and friends.
Peggy Stewart
Cathy Hagadorn
December 11, 2023
Dear Mary Ann and Raph Family, I am so sorry for your loss.
I did not know Alan, but see that his musical legacy was so impactful to so many. My heart (and those at Deer Pond Farm) goes out to you all.
Brian Phelps
December 11, 2023
I'm so sorry to learn of Alan's passing. He sent me a CD of the Danbury Brass Band earlier this year. He and I collaborated on the profile of his father Ted (my uncle) I wrote on Wikipedia. If you would like to add his picture or more details to Alan's article on Wikipedia, please contact me.
Lee Lynch
December 11, 2023
Our family only recently became friends with Alan and his wife and I´m so grateful for it! We bought a house across from the Raph´s on the lake. He and Mary Ann would paddle by early in the morning and we would visit with them with coffee on our dock. Such an interesting and knowledgeable man and not afraid to make new friends with strangers at age 88! Condolences to the family. Lee and Myles Lynch
Joseph Petrizzo
December 11, 2023
I was fortunate to play trombone with Alan on the Broadway revival of Annie in 1996. Alan sat right next to me and played bass bone and tuba. We often had dinner together on Sundays between shows and then we would walk in to other shows and watch the second half. You can't make this stuff up and certainly we could never get away with that today. Rest in peace Alan. You will be greatly missed.
Joe Petrizzo.
scottmelamerson
December 11, 2023
To the Raph family, I spent two summers w Alan in Bermuda( Frankie Avalon) He was a master musician and better person My condolences to the family Scott Melamerson
Ernie Kalwa
December 11, 2023
Very sorry to hear of Alan's passing. As a professional jazz musician and educator, I've always relied on Alan's publication "Dance Band Reading & Interpretation" in my own development and that of my students, since I was introduced to it by my own high-school music teacher and band-director in 1980. His book and many musical achievements have left a long-lasting legacy for jazz and dance-band musicians everywhere.
Karen L Fischer Perkins
December 11, 2023
To the Raph Family, 12 / 11 /23
So very sorry for your sad loss. Mr. Raph was a remarkable man and musician. I met him years ago while working at New Fairfield High School, and my late father, Dr.Paul H Fischer, played in local brass bands years ago, having made his acquaintance. May fine memories, the comfort of family and friends, and a Higher Power be of assistance to you through this difficult time.
With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Karen L Fischer Perkins
Heather Dale Titus
December 10, 2023
Thank you, Alan Raph, for upholding such high standards and being an excellent mentor to me and so many others. Your direction, all the stories and your insights have molded who I am as a musician. My most sincere appreciation to you, for having such a tremendous impact on my life. I love all of my memories from the Danbury Brass Band so dearly.
Aaron Plude
December 10, 2023
I joined the Danbury Brass Band over 11 years ago. It has been an honor getting to know Alan and hearing all his stories. I will always be so grateful to him, both for being a part of his group and for the opportunities to develop as a musician and as a arranger/composer. I will miss him and always remember the joy he brought to my life and to the lives of everyone in the Danbury Brass Band.
Liz and Gordon Jones
December 10, 2023
Incredibly sorry that Alan has passed from this earth. He brought joy to so many. We will think of him often
Aaron Plude
December 10, 2023
I joined the Danbury Brass Band over 11 years ago. It has been an honor getting to know Alan in that time and hearing his stories. I will always be grateful to him, both for being a part of his group and for the opportunities to develop further as a musician and as a composer/arranger. I will miss him and always remember the joy he brought to my life and to the lives of everyone in the Danbury Brass Band.
diane raph pineschi
December 10, 2023
Alan was my dad. As I grew older, we grew closer. He was always full of stories and opinions and I loved to listen to him. I will never let him out of my heart.
I wish we had had more time together. He was still so "On it" at 90 years old.... very vibrant and full of life. I learned a lot from him. I love you Dad and miss you more than you know.
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