Chris Daniels on Facebook, 8/15/25: On Thom Sumbler: In the 1990s when I was Executive Director of Swallow Hill, there were many folks who stepped up to help out and Thom Sumbler was one of the kindest and best. We became good friends and he asked me to produce a jazz guitar album for / and with him. With the help of Ernie, Kit, Mary and other amazingly talented folks the album “There’s One In Every Crowd” captured Thom’s love of Jazz guitar and music from the American Song Book. But more than that, Thom was one of kindest and most positive men I ever knew. If there was ever an example of a “ can do” attitude towards life – that was Thom. He moved to Michigan but stayed in close touch with Kit, Ernie, Sean and all of us in Colorado. He was a wonderful family man and we are all sending Dree love and peace. Thom passed as a result of complications from an insect bite – he was way too young and all of us who knew him have lost a dear friend and exceptional musician.
Missing you Thom and sending love to your family and friends. Everyday is a gift – Thom used to talk about that – and he was a gift to all that knew and loved him. ~ CD
His music: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=roBOwzh57ac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=roBOwzh57ac&fbclid=IwY2xjawMMxSNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEwejdYSlBvQlVWTXRxc2toAR5kNKrU0jP5OyyzoWyAWzDraOd0kgLoDwnkUwTtu2DH_sIh5mL8LC5mMk-EoQ_aem_5UqpIMlVld9fvozOKwiCbQ
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Mark Putt Passes
Dana Cain, 8/16/25: I thought if I waited, I’d be inspired to write the perfect, moving, touching thing about this. But I think I was just avoiding the truth. If you haven’t heard the news, Mark Putt is gone. Escaped off-world to a better place. End of an era. He changed my life in more ways than I can count. His music, his jokes, his creativity will stand as a constant beacon and inspiration for all of his friends. My heart goes out to Jen Putt, who cared for him and loved him until the end, and beyond.
Michael St. James: Oh damn it. He was such an original spirit. So singular. Sending much love and healing juju to you (and especially Jen).
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OTHER NOTABLE MUSICIANS’ DEATHS
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.
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.
If you want to know more about any of the musicians we lost, please check them out at http://www.wikipedia.com
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
August 2025
20: Brent Hinds, 51, American heavy metal guitarist and singer (Mastodon, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra), traffic collision.
19: Michael Antunes, 85, American saxophonist (John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band, Ernie and the Automatics) and actor (Eddie and the Cruisers), kidney failure; Harvey Glatt, 91, Canadian music promoter; Luz, 32, Japanese singer.
18: Banu Kırbağ, 74, Turkish singer, composer, and arranger.
16: Joachim Grubich, 90, Polish organist.
15: Perinho Albuquerque, 79, Brazilian songwriter and record producer, complications from a stroke; Maria Krushelnytska, 90, Ukrainian pianist; Jamshied Sharifi, 64, American composer, musician, and record producer.
14: Heigo Mirka, 81, Estonian musician.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2025