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New York University

EUGENE SLUTSKY Obituary

SLUTSKY--Eugene Harvey.

A lifelong New York resident, Eugene was professionally known as Gene Harvey. He was a pioneer music promoter representing jazz and R&B luminaries in the 1970s and 1980s, but is particularly remembered for having fostered the singing career of Whitney Houston. He managed her career during the 1980s. Gene was a graduate of Rhodes and New York University, directing and producing films and local theater early in his career, and was a world traveler. Predeceased by his parents Sidney and Sophie Slutsky, Gene was loved and will be missed by his devoted companion, Ingrid Kvam, and her children Bruce (Pamela) Haskell and Brian (Dawn) Haskell, and by Gene's brother Edward (Pamela) Slutsky and nephew Andrew (Heather) Slutsky. Donations in his name can be made to The Lone Soldier at www.Israelforever.org

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Published by New York Times on Mar. 27, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for EUGENE SLUTSKY

17 Entries

Maja Kihlstedt

March 23, 2024

I think often of Gene and miss his persona. He was such a unique guy and a true New Yorker if there ever was one.
His ease of connecting with strangers, of being able to talk with anyone. He had many friends from all walk of life.
The way he could find humor in everyday situations with his deep and contagious laugh.

He is sorely missed.

Maja Kihlstedt

April 30, 2023

I met Gene Harvey in 1980 as a young art student and we remained friends throughout our various different lives and relationships. I was happy to learn of his partner, Ingrid as I knew she meant a lot to him through those years and nurtured him at the end of his days.
He was uniquely supportive of artists and bought one of my early experimental works, a large oil painting not liked by many but Gene claimed he loved it.
He talked often about Whitney and it was clear how he guided and fostered her with absolute care. No doubt that he forecasted and helped create her career.
He was such a solid, unique person, kind-hearted, and also humorous. I don´t know any who laughed so generously as he did.
I think of him often as he was such an unforgettable friend sorely missed.

jonathan

March 6, 2021

I worked with Gene briefly in the 1990's and was honoured to have him as my business partner in managing a band. He was very gracious in accepting this arrangement for a young British manager as he was one of the great US managers. I saw this now and am very sad that I was not able to keep up with him in the intervening years and sad to hear this news. Thanks Gene for your generosity and kindness and also your inspiration which helped me gain success in my future. I am happy to discover some photos with him and Whitney from google searches and I have copied them and will hold them dear. RIP

Alex obiago

November 15, 2020

To a very dear beloved man that I met briefly as a young sales assistant in burberrys lonDon it was August 1986 he'd passed through the store with whitneys dad and friend shopping I'd helped servery them was taken by me and they were all on whitneys world tour at Wembley he returned with sissy not long after during the period he'd invited me as a guest but I was shy but taken back in ore I felt v flattered and will alwAysgarth remember his kindness god rest in peace gene xxxxxx

Sheila Doyle

May 6, 2020

I knew Eugene in the 1970s. He was a wonderful, kind, gentle man; he had a great sense of humour.
May He Live in the Light of God's Eternal Love. Life is the dream, Eugene, you have returned to the reality of Bliss. Peace, Love and Light, Sheila

jeanne look

March 21, 2020

There is still a hole in all our lives left by Eugene.....His memory is a blessing.

jeanne look

March 21, 2019

Facebook shared a memory of that wonderful black & white photo of Eugene and Whitney relaxing and enjoying each other's company. It made my heart twinge at the thought that we will never be able to enjoy Gene's brilliant company again......He is deeply missed and loved. Rest in peace dear friend.

Elisabetta di Cagno

March 17, 2019

I had not heard from Eugene for a while and just found this. How very sorry to learn. Eugene was not a close friend, but a constant one for many years. He had great admiration for my father, Walter di Cagno, who, upon learning that Arturo Toscanini had been slapped by Mussolini's "black shirts" for refusing to play for "il Duce," left the Italian army AWOL, joined British Intelligence and the Partisans, undercover; fighting in his native country against fascism. Eugene was a fellow book lover and would call to discuss books. He would invite my father and me to dinner and talk about great pianists-- (di Cagno had studied in the Conservatorio in Milano) -- and classical music in general. Eugene had a great mind and was a rare friend. I think of him often and miss him. Arrivederci amico gentile.

Alina Norman

April 10, 2016

Miss you, Eugene.

Evelyn Norman

April 10, 2016

Gene was a long-time friend. Funny, smart, kind, crotchety. Alina, my daughter, and I miss him quite a bit. We have a large anthology of "Eugene" stories: "New(est) Potatoes," "Notice the Burning Menu," "Tina Brown's Dog," & etc. Condolences to Ingrid and Edward. Rest in peace, dear friend.

Marc Blatte

April 1, 2016

Jeanne, myself and our family loved Eugene. He was a major mensch! He is and will continue to be deeply missed.

Dianne Thaxter

April 1, 2016

Rest in peace Eugene.

jeanne look

April 1, 2016

Eugene is mourned by our daughters, Hannah Look Boissonnault, Heartie Look-Dougherty and husband, Christopher and Hayley Blatte.

jeanne look

April 1, 2016

Eugene was a lifelong family friend. He struck up a close friendship with our sister, Maureen Neary Young, when they worked at Ogilvy Advertising Agency in the 1960's. After Maureen died in 1973 at the age of 31, Eugene remained part of the Neary family and came to know Maureen's daughter and grandchildren. He was always very grateful to me for giving 17 year old Whitney an audition for a Polaroid commercial at our music production company at the time, Look and Chapin. 6 months later, Whitney was a super star! He is deeply missed by me, my husband, Marc Blatte, who Eugene asked to write for an early Whitney album; My sisters Joann Mackenzie, her daughter Eden; My sister Lynn Neary, her husband David Hall and their daughter Maya; Our niece Amanda Young manning, her husband James and children Yasmin and Will; and close family friend, Mary Campbell Caldwell who worked with Eugene promoting Jazz concerts at Lincoln Center before he managed Whitney. Our sincerest sympathies to Ingrid and her family.

Ellen Oxhorn

March 29, 2016

I knew Gene in the early 80s. We lived in the same building (on East 55th Street) and we became good friends. He was always telling me about this young girl he was managing by the name of Whitney Houston. He kept telling me I had to come hear her sing (she had some engagements at a club on Amsterdam Avenue). I did go to hear her and I recall seeing a very nervous 17 year old (nervous beyond belief). I lost touch with Gene when I moved from that building, but reading the New York Times obit last night, my heart was broken when I saw his name. He was a wonderful guy, a great human being. I wish we would have stayed friends.

Seymour Flics

March 27, 2016

I must add that Gene was solely responsible for discovering Whitney and forecasting her huge success.

Seymour Flics

March 27, 2016

Gene and I were partners in managing Whitney and he was brilliant in guiding her career. My condolences to Ingrid and to Genes family. He will be missed.

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