Mark Oblinger, 4/14/26: I found out earlier today that our dear friend Timm Duffy passed away on Friday. More details to follow. He had called me that morning about doing some work on one of his tunes. Still creating the magic. His music was truly “of the Clouds”. Sail on maestro.
Mark Fuller: I think he truly had one of the best music arrangement minds ever. I don’t know how theory-skilled he was, or technically adept, but when you listen to how his tunes are arranged, when things are dense or sparse, and the subtle non-linear things that keep you on your toes, he was exquisite.
Bob Koss: Thanks for the tough post, Mark. I idolized Timm when I heard his Orchestra of the Clouds Band and music for the first time. Unforgettable
Chris Daniels: Timm Duffy was funny, brilliant, talented as all get out, from Orchestra of Clouds (as he explained it was not “ of the” but of clouds – to his brilliant James Brown tributes, his art, his recordings – I was lucky enough to play on a few – and those brilliant and funny expressions and communication. A true gift from the universe for all of us that got to know, appreciate and love Timm Duffy. G Brown has a great interview with Duffy that is worth a listen. I’ll include it in the post. If there is a heaven filled with musicians… Duffy will be welcomed in with open arms… And they will now finally be able to truly say “there’s gonna be a wham Bam at the ashram!” Loved by all of us – Timm made the world a better more enjoyable, more funky planet. You will be missed old friend. Big hugs, CD |
https://colomusic.org/podcast/tim-duffy/
A lovely piece about Tim’s beautiful sculptures with his music in the background.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rNemEIUTGlE…
Dave DeMichelis: Just heard that Timm Duffy passed away last Friday. Timm was Boulder’s blue eyed soul singer when I first moved to Colorado back in the early 80’s. I got to work with the All-Stars a number of times in the 80’s. Through Timm, I learned a lot more about James Brown and through Timm, I discovered the Neville Brothers. Playing with Larry Thompson and Billie Rich taught me so many lessons about playing in the pocket. I will never forget when we played the CO State Fair and were located next to Bacon & Porkchop – the racing pigs. Timm was very amused about the whole scenario. A brilliant and creative musician with a great sense of humor. I will miss him always…
Photo: Timm Duffy | From Mark Oblinger’s Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10242042658472206&set=a.10203418896662300
OTHER NOTABLE MUSICIANS’ DEATHS
Warning Signs of Suicide – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or if you want to discuss, call the old numbers at 800-273-TALK or 800-273-8255 for English and 888-628-9454 for Spanish. Learn the signs of someone who may be contemplating suicide.
Posting for my Veteran/singer/songwriter/musician friend Troy Hoss: Heavy on my heart so here goes: This is a very real problem … 22 Veterans a day surrender to their demons. #SuicideAwareness | Call Veteran’s Hotline: 988 #1 or 844-647-1354
From Care2 via Jock Bartley on Facebook: Trump shut down our LGBTQ+ suicide and mental health hotline, but CANADA opened a US toll-free number to theirs… so our citizens can get help anytime, at no cost: 1-877-330-6366
Kindness & empathy have no borders.
If you want to know more about any of the musicians we lost, please check them out at http://www.wikipedia.com
April 2026
15: Osvaldas Balakauskas, 88, Lithuanian classical composer and diplomat; Lucha Moreno, 86, Mexican singer and actress (Asesinos, S.A., Quinceañera, Amor en silencio).
14: Dan Wall, 72, American jazz keyboardist.
13: Moya Brennan, 73, Irish folk singer (Clannad); Patrick Campbell-Lyons, 82, Irish musician (Nirvana) and composer; Al Gunn, Canadian bassist (Men Without Hats); Mister Sam, 80, Argentine music producer (Gretchen); Margret Nikolova, 97, Bulgarian pop singer; Felipe Staiti, 64, Argentine guitarist (Los Enanitos Verdes); Donald K. Tarlton, 82, Canadian music producer and promoter.
12: Asha Bhosle, 92, Indian playback singer (“Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko”, “Dum Maro Dum”, “Piya Tu Ab To Aja”), multiple organ failure; Václav Hybš, 90, Czech musician, trumpeter and conductor.
11: Pedro Ramayá Beltrán, 96, Colombian caña de millo player, pleural effusion; Mike Westbrook, 90, English jazz pianist and composer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cana_de_millo
10: Dinah Christie, 83, Canadian actress (Check It Out!) and singer (Party Game); Harry Kim, 74, American trumpeter (The Phenix Horns), cancer.
9: Afrika Bambaataa, 68, American DJ and rapper (“Planet Rock”, “Looking for the Perfect Beat”, “Renegades of Funk”), prostate cancer; Björgvin Halldórsson, 74, Icelandic musician; Ray Monette, 79, American musician (Rare Earth).
6: Michail Belchev, 79, Bulgarian singer, songwriter and poet; Blondy, 66, American rapper (The Sequence) and songwriter (“Funk You Up”); Álvaro Cassuto, 87, Portuguese composer and conductor.
