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Larry Appelbaum Memoriam

Appelbaum
Larry Appelbaum (Age 67)
Larry Appelbaum, Renowned Jazz Historian, Broadcaster, and Archivist, Dies at 68
Larry Appelbaum, a distinguished music audio engineer, Jazz historian, and beloved radio host, passed away on February 21, 2025, in Washington, DC from natural causes. Born in Washington, DC. he lived a life shaped by his passion for music in general, and Jazz in particular. He was a graduate of the University of Maryland.
Among his many accomplishments, he is perhaps best known for discovering the lost Thelonious Monk-John Coltrane Carnegie Hall tapes. Larry dedicated his career to preserving and documenting Jazz history, leaving a lasting mark on the field. He worked at the Library of Congress for over four decades, serving as Supervisor of the Magnetic Recording Laboratory and later as a Senior Music Reference Specialist in the Music Division. Through his work transferring, editing, and mastering historical recordings, he ensured their preservation for future generations. His expertise contributed to major Jazz anthologies, including Jazz: The First Century and Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology. He also curated a long-running Jazz film series and wrote extensively for many publications, including JazzTimes and DownBeat magazines.
Larry's love for Jazz was also evident in his long career in radio. He began broadcasting in college before launching his long-running show The Sound of Surprise on WPFW-FM in Washington, D.C. Over 40 years, he shared his deep knowledge, rare recordings, and insightful commentary, earning the respect and admiration of Jazz enthusiasts worldwide.
In addition to his archival and broadcasting work, Larry was an influential lecturer, speaking at conferences, universities, and institutions across the globe. He consulted on international Jazz archives and played a key role in bringing live performances, educational programming, and oral histories to the public. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of Jazz music, which was particularly evident when interviewing Jazz legends. He was especially active in the local D.C. music scene.
Larry left an indelible mark on the music industry. The world of jazz has lost a lion. He is survived by his brothers Howard and Marc Appelbaum. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WPFW (P.O. Box 42099, Washington, DC 20015).

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

Published by The Washington Post on Feb. 24, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Larry Appelbaum

16 Entries

Suzanne

August 3, 2025

Just learned today that he had passed. I volunteered for his show many times over the years. Oddly, a friend who was supposed to bring some meds to his apt late last year wasn't able to and so asked me to. I dropped them by as someone else was coming to see him and he wasn't near the door so I didn't see him clearly. Only just today learned it was Larry. I remember when he hosted Jazz discussions at Borders Books downtown as well. May he rest in peace.

Steve Einbender

April 20, 2025

Larry was a dear friend of mine as we both went through Kent Mill Elementary and E. Brooke Lee junior high together. His influence on me was remarkable on so many levels. I had my first psychedelic experience in his house as he was my spiritual sherpa for many years. So many amazing experiences together that I still think about and draw from even today. One in particular was in 6th grade when he led the entire recess in a march back into class singing "When The Saints Come Marching In" while managing to keep us all in key. There were times when I would visit him in the studio while he was on the air with his jazz show and, for my sake, would effortlessly merge Miles and the Dead perfectly and hysterically. He called me one night late when he got the news about his cancer remission. He called it "a 3 hanky night". His life was a blessing for so many of us. His impact on my life was significant and for that I am truly grateful to have been his friend !

Carol

March 14, 2025

Carol Potter Lightfoot

March 14, 2025

November 1974. I had just started dating Joe Mc., and it wasn´t long before I realized Joe and Larry were great friends. They were Madrigals together. Turns out, Larry had a beautiful deep singing voice. I loved it. He was quite the talent.

Eventually, I met Larry´s older brothers, Marc and Howard, at their store. Larry was often at Kemp Mill Records sitting behind the register listening to music while sifting through a stack of records and reading jacket covers. That picture of Larry is definitely painted in my memories of him.

Of course, there were times we´d go hang out at his house in Kemp Mill. It was a short walk from Northwood. Life was seemingly carefree on those days; friends being friends. And, Larry was always quick with a smile and a chuckle.

Years later, I caught up with him again through his radio show at WPFW. I remember it being called Jazz Maniacs. Sometimes I´d meet him after his show and give him a ride home, or we would go for tamales or sit to eat collard greens at one of his favorite little shops in town. Ever a good time and lovely company.

Occasionally on weekends, I would visit him at his place on Dupont Circle. While there, he told me stories of when, weekly, he would hang out at Blues Alley all night while still a sophomore, junior and senior @Northwood High School. He was too young to be permitted inside the Georgetown venue, so he stood outside; hour upon hour, winter, spring, summer, and fall, he listen to jazz greats before heading home late at night or early in the morning.

He had a sweet apartment that overlooked the city and was chocked full of albums, CD´s and such. His collection was massive. There must have been thousands of recordings floor to ceiling. So cool.

Larry was one of the greats, and he will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, dear one. We loved you very much.

Paul G. (Pablo) Buchanan

March 13, 2025

I met Larry in the early 80s at WPFW when I did a show there and found out that he worked at the LoC where I had a research carrel while doing Ph.D. research. We began having music-themed lunches at his apartment down the street from the LoC and became good friends. He even came to visit my family and I for Carnaval in Rio in 1987 and we stayed in touch on and off while I moved around the US and eventually overseas. Larry was great to converse with and a keen student of many things, and in the measure that he shared his thoughts with me, about music and those other things, he enriched my life. I knew about his ill-health but this news still came as a sad surprise. I sure hope that there is good music and abundant cheer in his afterlife.

Keith Johnson

March 1, 2025

I met Larry when my family moved to Kemp Mill, Maryland in 1967. He was one of my first friends and we stayed in contact until his death! I had just talked to Larry a few weeks ago on what I should see and do on my upcoming trip to Japan. Larry spent a year there and gave me some suggestions. I am so sad because I was making plans to visit Larry in DC in April.

Carlos Garza

February 28, 2025

Larry and I were roommates at Frostburg State U (college) for his sophomore year, my junior year. We met through a mutual love of the Firesign Theatre. I arrived with my prog rock albums and Larry with his jazz albums. Together we listened to a ton of great music and through him I met an amazing bunch of people who are still my closest friends.

Later, I ran into him once or twice at the Library of Congress. He was so at home in that job and they were lucky to have him there with his immense knowledge of music. He was the coolest of the coolest guys to hang out with and I will miss hearing his voice on the radio. My deepest condolences to his family.

- @Steve, I love the picture of me, Debbie and Larry! Here are a few more Frostburg pics.

steven wilson

February 26, 2025

I enjoyed listening to him on Sundays. It was a sad moment to here of his passing today.

Karen Fitzgerald

February 25, 2025

I´m sorry to hear of Larry´s ( Beet´s) passing.... We were very close friends in college and able to reconnect in the early 2000s... his love of jazz, unique sense of humor, and take on the world was memorable and meaningful still... one of the best. Sincere condolences to his family and friends, Karen

Deborah Shuman

February 25, 2025

Larry was my boyfriend in college. I´ll always remember him lovingly.

Massimo Milano

February 24, 2025

What a great loss...

Jodi Friedman

February 24, 2025

Knew him since elementary school. Haven´t seen him since. So very sad. My condolences to friends and family.

David Hurwitz

February 24, 2025

I am David Hurwitz. My brother Jeff & I grew up in Kemp Mill along with the Applebaum bro's, & Mel's Other Place!
I am so sorry to hear of Larry's passing. He truly was a legend in the world of jazz music, & a Sunday wouldn't go by that I wasn't listening to him on WPFW. We were kids together..the akward, teenage adolescent years. He was brilliant even then. We were Firesign Theater geeks in those days, & all "Bozo's on the Bus"!
He will be sorely missed, & will live on forever in our hearts, & in our memories.

Steve Tepper

February 24, 2025

So sorry to hear about my great high school friend Larry. While at that time we listened to Yes, ELP and Grateful Dead, his enjoyment of music persisted. I love what he has done for the jazz world. Marc and Howard, I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. He was a good man! While these photos are from a long time ago, they put a big smile on my face, thinking of him. Love, Steve Tepper

George Klimes

February 24, 2025

He did so much for the world of jazz, and his show on WPFW was must-hear listening for me each week.

Marcia Stepanek

February 24, 2025

One of the people I loved the very, very most in this life-- Larry Appelbaum, jazz radio host of Sound of Surprise at WPFW in DC, jazz expert at the Library of Congress, creator and host of DC's fabulous Jazz on Film series, music journalist, recording engineer and brilliant, big-hearted fabulous friend and influence to so many and someone I met in Japan and loved there and here -- passed away yesterday. He touched, moved and inspired so many with his love of music, of adventure and his caring and sharing. The jazz music industry lost a lion; those who loved him lost a treasure. I thank the gods for his presence, what he taught me about life, love and the world. I also thank the gods for how he brought the music and those who created it to life for many thousands who wouldn't have known them otherwise. I will continue to see Larry in a song, hear his voice in a memory and will cherish his memory and miss him deeply, forever and ever.

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