I miss the Rhythm Comedians! Over two years have elapsed since our little unit disbanded. The time had come; it happens that way for many creative group efforts involving musicians. We cohere for a while, then move on to other interests, or simply move apart. So it was with the Comedians. Yet, looking back, I feel grateful for the time I spent with leader, composer, and drummer Ric Troll, bassist Dave DeVos, violinist Pat Foley, and guitarist Jeff Boughner.
Jeff passed on not many months after the band broke up. His death came as a complete shock. I had seen him not long before, on New Years Eve at a gig in downtown Grand Rapids. He looked fine then. But a few weeks later, poof. Cancer. Gone. Unbelievable. One can get another guitarist, but not another Jeff. With his creative spark and gentle, congenial personality gone, the rest of us who comprised the Rhythm Comedians are left with some wonderful memories, and, thankfully, Ric”s backlog of Rhythm Comedians jazz originals on his jukebox at his Tallmadge Mill website.
For me, the zenith of my time with the Comedians was our April Fool concert at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA). With the extraordinary Kurt Ellenberger joining us on piano, I consider that event the height of our playing. The nice turn-out of friends, family, and area jazz lovers made the evening all the more memorable. But concert aside, it was the music, the creativity, and the cameraderie that made the Rhythm Comedians one of my most rewarding musical experiences.
To all you guys–Ric, Dave, Pat, and yes, to you, Jeff–thanks.
