Found photos – Bud Powell’s funeral procession

These photos are of Bud Powell’s funeral procession on August 8, 1966. I’ve added a few more photos since I first put these on the site. These are scans of negatives from an unknown photographer’s collection – see my other pages of photos from the Apollo Theater and of Moondog, Jimmy Nottingham and street musicians in Harlem, Greenwich Village and Central Park.

Dan Morgenstern reported on the funeral for Down Beat’s September 22, 1966 issue:

In the lead was Harlem’s own Jazzmobile, appropriately draped for the occasion, and carrying a jazz band … the members were Benny Green, trombone; John Gilmore, tenor saxophone; Barry Harris, piano; Don Moore, bass; Billy Higgins, drums, and at the last moment, Lee Morgan, trumpet. First came “Now’s the Time” and then, perhaps more appropriately, “‘Round Midnight”, followed by two Powell tunes, “Bud’s Bubble” and “Dance of the Infidels”.

The music stopped when the cortege reached the church. The pallbearers, including musicians Max Roach, Tony Scott, Eddie Bonnemere, Kenny Dorham, Willie Jones, Hayes Alvis and Claude Hopkins, brought Powell’s coffin into the church where, many years before, he had been an altar boy.

If anyone can help identify anyone in the photos below, I’d appreciate it.

 

Bud Powell's funeral procession at 7th Ave and 139th St August 8, 1966
Bud Powell’s funeral procession at 7th Ave and 139th St August 8, 1966

 

 Sam Price in tie walking next to cop car on 138th St.and 7th Ave by the Renaissance Theater
Sam Price in tie walking next to cop car on 138th St.and 7th Ave by the Renaissance Theater

The theater in the background is the Renaissance Theater connected to ballroom of the same name (now demolished).
See here for a comparable photo of the theater.
For info on the deterioration and demolition see here, here and here

 At the intersection of 135th St and 7th Ave
At the intersection of 135th St and 7th Ave

 

Bud Powell's pallbearers: on right, back to front, Kenny Dorham, Willie Jones, unknown; on left, unknown, Tony Scott, unknown.
Pallbearers: on right, back to front, Kenny Dorham, Willie Jones, unknown; on left, unknown, Tony Scott, unknown.

 

 On the Jazzmobile: Benny Green trombone, Barry Harris on piano and Don Moore on bass. John Gilmore (face not seen) is on tenor.
On the Jazzmobile: Benny Green trombone, Barry Harris on piano and Don Moore on bass. John Gilmore (face not seen) is on tenor.

 

 From left: John Gilmore (with back to camera), unknown, Don Moore on bass, Billy Higgins on drums, unknown on right.
From left: John Gilmore (with back to camera), unknown, Don Moore on bass, Billy Higgins on drums, unknown on right.

 

The Jazz Mobile
The Jazz Mobile

 

The Jazz Mobile
The Jazz Mobile – detail from above photo

 

Bud Powell's funeral procession, August 1966 at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo on W. 141 St. in Harlem
Bud Powell’s funeral procession, August 1966 at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo on W. 141 St. in Harlem

Much thanks to all who have helped with IDs, including Vince Gardner, Hyland Harris, Dan Morgenstern, Ira Gitler and Mike Boone.

I do not know this photographer’s name. I have confirmed with Getty Images that the photographer is neither Don Paulsen nor Chuck Stewart.

19 thoughts on “Found photos – Bud Powell’s funeral procession”

  1. many thanks for shwoing us the photograps tehse are really qute moving so best wishes
    david edmondson 47 westwood avenue kendal cumbria LA95BB ENGLAND UK
    if you have a spare photograph for sale please let me know how much
    regards
    david

    1. Truly great photos. Looks like they got it right in honoring this great artist and man. My thoughts go out to Earl Jr. and family. I have the distinct commonality with Earl as being the son of a late great jazz pianist Cedar Walton who recently passed. Earl and I attended college together for a time as well. I so remember the summer Jazzmobile’s in NYC in my days and just looking at that bandstand tugged at me. I have never met Bud Powell but I feel his majesrty in his musical legacy.

  2. First of all,I’d like to thank all the people who worked on gathering this photos and put all on this page sincerely !!! I got very sentimental as I love Mr. Bud Powell so much and I wish I was there and attend this funeral and be there with my other heroes,such as Max Roach,Kenny Dorham,Billy Higgins,Barry Harris and the others etc .. to show off that how I love Mr. Bud Powell’s music and his spirit,his spot in my heart alongside with Max Roach,Kenny Dorham,Kenny Clarke,Art Taylor,Art Blakey and so on ….. You are one of my heroes Mr. Bud Powell,truly …

    1. Bishop Perry,
      This is his son, Earl John Powell. I’m always looking to connect w/my family.
      Looking forward to meeting you.
      You’ll find me on fb or otherwise, email me.
      Blessings,
      John

      1. I thank God nearly everyday for sending your father to this earth. He filled and still fills my heart with joy.
        He was one of the greatest pianists, it doesn’t matter what kind of Music.

    2. Bishop,
      This is amazing!
      I’ve been looking all my life for my paternal/maternal relatives. When you get this, please reach out, as I am building my family’s tree .
      Here’s my contact information:
      earljohnpowell@gmail.com
      914-364-4151 (c)
      Text or email 1st, For security, I don’t welcome unknown numbers
      Looking forward to is connecting 🙏🏽

      Bright Moments,
      John

  3. Seeing these photos only makes it sadder that Bud is buried just down the road from my house in an unmarked grave. RIP Mr. Powell.

  4. As a schoolboy in the 1950s , i learned to follow what Mr Parker and Mr Gillespie were doing primarily listening to the Jazz at Massey Hall, 1953 concert, recorded by Charles Mingus of course.
    those two were so riveting and dazzling , it took me a while to latch onto what Bud Powell was doing when it came to his own solos . And what i found, after repeated listening, was an enchanting melodic invention that matched the beauty of the more dramatic sounding horn solos . Invention at such speed – long winding, turning phrases that i eventually learned off by heart . I have loved his work so much ever since. A great gift to the world . So these funeral photographs move me so very much.

    1. Dear Robert !! Very true about Bud’s improvised lines, his technique was simply amazing. By the way, are you the same Robert Wyatt who was at Canterbury art college with my mother Elizabeth Barrett ?? 😉

  5. This is truly amazing to look at these wonderful vintage photos, honoring a giant and trendsetter in jazz music , Mr. Bud Powell. It also a sentimental treasure for myself because these photos were taken in my old neighborhood at 139th street and 7th Ave. My building was 144. Thank you for sharing these historical gems.

  6. Oh how well I remember this funeral. I loved Bud’s music so much … he was the greatest pianist in the early 50’s. Never heard or saw anyone like Bud. To watch his fingers slide over the keys never missing a note was a sight to hear and see. Miss you Bud. Sheila Jordan

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