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Leonard Jaffe Obituary
LEONARD ARTHUR JAFFE (Age 73)
On Thursday, May 26, 2022, Leonard A. (Len) Jaffe of Lanham, MD passed away from pancreatic cancer. Len was a native Washingtonian and enjoyed a life-long passion in the DC/VA/MD folk music scene. He is survived by his sister Sandy (Alan) Corbett and his brother Lyle (Donna) Jaffe. A graveside service for Len will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, 9500 Riggs Road, Adelphi, MD 20783. Donations in Len's memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
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Memories and Condolences
for Leonard Jaffe
Dusty Garwood
May 25, 2025
It´s hard to believe that Len has been gone for 3 years now. Even though time has gone by, my memory is still fresh with his memory.
Lon Anderson
May 23, 2024
Amazing that it's been a year since we lost Len. As friends for more than 50 years, It just seems like there's got to be another adventure with Len lurking out there in the future. Not many friends you can say you had adventures that included John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot and so many other wonderful and talented Folk artists. I miss our adventures, and I miss you, Len.
Dusty Garwood
May 23, 2024
I am reminded again of Len´s passing. I remember asking Len questions about a Folk artist and he always seemed to either know the person in question or had several of their albums and would be quite versed in their particular music and story. He was a wealth of knowledge. Now I have Google to go to for answers. Len was better with the answers. Len, you are missed. Dusty
Dusty Garwood
May 23, 2023
It´s hard to believe that it has been a year since Len´s passing. I think of him from time to time and am especially grateful for his friendship. His love of folk music was so vast and he knew so many people in the business. Len introduced me to Gordon Lightfoot a few times as well as Guy Clark, Eric Anderson and so many others over the years. He was a great storyteller. I still miss getting together and hearing his jokes and laughter. You are missed! Dusty
Richard Flynn
May 1, 2023
I first met Len in about 1970 when we played the same night at the Iguana Coffeehouse in DC. We were back in touch on Facebook in recent years and shared a lot of musical memories. When I heard about Gordon Lightfoot's death tonight, I went to check on Len, only to find that he had passed away in March. Rest in peace Len. I'll always remember our shared love of music and, of course, The Cellar Door.
Johnny Holliday
June 2, 2022
I will miss Len...he was such a special guy and I always enjoyed visiting with him. Rest In Peace Len.
Laura Marshall
May 31, 2022
I offer my condolences to Len's family and many friends that knew him through his music and his personality. He was one of a kind, never to be forgotten. Here's to that virtual cup of coffee, Len -
Laura
Jeff Kornspan
May 30, 2022
Unfortunately I met Len about four years ago when he came to my family's funeral for my mother. I never got to here him play or perform. We went to the same high school but he was five years older so he went to classes with my sister. Being a musician myself with a love for all types of music, I would like to hear tunes of his either original or covers.
We'll miss you Len.
Lon Anderson
May 30, 2022
Lon Anderson
May 30, 2022
Lon Anderson
May 30, 2022
Lon Anderson
May 30, 2022
Lon Anderson
May 30, 2022
Lon Anderson
May 30, 2022
Len and I have been friends since we met at Montgomery College, in the student newpaper office in September 1968. I became editor of the college paper and Len, ever with an eye on the music scene, was the entertainment editor. Len played a wonderful acoustical guitar and wrote music--his car license tag for many years was "Songwrtr". One day he told me about a wonderful 12 string guitarist playing at the Cellar Door in Georgetown and asked me if I'd like to tag along for an interview with the artist. We met him, liked his music, arraged a formal interview for two days later and got him to do a concert at Montomgery College, which we produced. So began our long relationship with a little known performer at the time, soon to become a national phenom--John Denver. Over the years, Len played at a lot of coffee houses and house concerts - many of which I attended. He often played his own compositions, which were very good, although he never hit big with any. But he did head to Nashville where he lived for a couple of years, only to return to the DC area. About 10 years ago, he called me and said his friend Gordon Lightfoot was going to be playing Wolf Trap, and he had visited with Gordon backstage and had passes for us, if we'd like to come. We were quick to accept the invitation and of course I got a picture of Len and Gordon visiting (included below).
Over the years we had so many adventures and mis-adventures--too many to recount here, but my heart aches knowing that he is gone and there will never be another Len concert to attend, and no more music adventures to be had. RIP, my friend--AND THANKS!
Glenn Todd
May 30, 2022
I only had the good fortune to meet Len a couple of times but his vast knowledge of music, incredible wit and generosity left and indelible mark. RIP my friend May Godspeed
Rick Landers
May 30, 2022
A recent splendid time with fellow musicians (L to R) - Ron Goad, Peter Gratton, Doc Woodbury, Rick Landers and Len Jaffe. We ate, we drank, we laughed....very sad to hear of Len's passing, he was foundational to the DC folk music scene, and Len and I would talked music and guitars, our mutual passions....RIP Len.
Dusty Garwood
May 29, 2022
Rest well my dear friend. Who´s going to be the one to tell the jokes now! I hope you were able to bring your guitar with you. I will miss you terribly!
Patrick McAleer
May 29, 2022
Sad to hear of Len's passing. I had the privilege of going to many Sunday Night's at the Cellar Door in the late 60's with Len - when local talent was showcased including Len. He taught me a lot about the folk scene working together at Variety Records, as well as introducing me to many folks who were or soon became stars in the music world. Len was one of a kind and will be missed.
Condolences to his family and friends.
Ellen N.
May 29, 2022
Thinking of Lyle and to his sister as well. May your heartbreak in the loss of your beloved brother Len become more bearable as you are surrounded by loving thoughts.
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