Paul H. Plimley

1953 - 2022
Paul Horace Plimley, March 16, 1953 to May 18, 2022, aged 69, from Vancouver B.C., who was known and beloved by many around the world, sadly passed away in St. John Hospice, UBC, from a short and intense battle with cancer. He will live on in the hearts of his mother Claire, siblings Mark (Laurel), Suzette (Nigel) and Denise; and also his four nieces and nephews, Noriko Plimley, Julian Plimley, Emilie Clarke, and Kyle Clarke.

Paul had a far reaching and deeply powerful impact on the improvisational jazz music scene, having been a composer and musician since his teens. He was one of the prime movers and leaders of the improv jazz movement in Canada in the '70s, paving the way for many more musicians to follow who shared his love for inspiring and daring creative expression, which helped provide a way for deep connections to be forged with other like minded artists in other countries. His commitment to his own unique style of writing and performing gave him the global reputation of being one of the most intuitive pianists and vibraphonists from Canada, as followers of his work will confirm. He loved both the joy and challenge of setting the spirit of music free, while his perspective was drawn from all forms of jazz, blues, European classical, some rock and world music, as well as from his interest in philosophy, literature, history, art and astronomy.

He was highly appreciated as a teacher also, and so memorable as a person to all who met him. He had an expansive personality, an exceptionally curious mind, and a fierce interest in all aspects of living. He was as interested in whomever he was speaking with as he was in his own art. He always had something insightful to say, or a light hearted comment to share. Paul was playful and experimental, quick witted and fond of the illuminated road less travelled. He was the best of the best, both stubborn and kind to the end, and so it must be said, although painfully obvious, that he was taken from us far too soon. He will be sweetly remembered, forever revered and substantially missed for a very very long time.

A huge thank you to his entire healthcare team; you all make the world a better place. Also enormous thanks to his friends and colleagues who helped make Paul's life both deeply meaningful and tremendously fun.

One of his many favourite poems:

Sigh for me, night wind, in the mighty leaves of the oak.
I am tired. Sleep for me, heaven over the hill.
Shout for me, loudly and loudly, joyful sun, when you rise.

(Wallace Stevens)

Paul supported The Council of Canadians, and Doctors Without Borders, so please feel free to send a donation in lieu of sending flowers.