David Barnert Posted February 3 Posted February 3 John Roberts, concertina player extraordinaire, has passed at the age of 80. His partner Lisa posted on Facebook early this morning. This is such a loss. 4
Ken_Coles Posted February 3 Posted February 3 We will miss him and are thankful for what he gave us. He played both English and Anglo system concertina. I remember talking to him about it at Pinewoods camp two decades ago. Ken
Mike Franch Posted February 3 Posted February 3 I remember chatting with him during the break at a house concert in the Baltimore area. He was using three concertinas. I was joking about his abandonment of the EC and remarked that one of the the concertinas he was using looked like a Jeffries. He replied, "They're all Jeffries." Wow! He made good use of them. A man of great accomplishment, in my experience he was modest and gentle, almost shy.
Richard Mellish Posted February 4 Posted February 4 There's a long video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMMCX_AzG18 which I have been meaning to watch. 1
David Barnert Posted February 4 Author Posted February 4 1 hour ago, Richard Mellish said: There's a long video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMMCX_AzG18 which I have been meaning to watch. Yes, that was his 80th birthday (and final) concert on May 5. Shortly afterward he announced his retirement from performing in light of serious health issues. That’s my head (bald, white hair, N-95 mask strap) on the right, visible through the whole video. It was a fine concert. 1
Robin Harrison Posted February 5 Posted February 5 What a gentleman he was…….being in his Button Box workshops was such a pleasure. He played a version of York Fusiliers for us during one on his Anglo and was kind enough to send me an MP3 of it a few weeks later. Lovely man.
RAc Posted February 5 Posted February 5 (edited) 2025: John Roberts - Country Dance & Song Society This looks like a very tasteful and appropriate summary and honoring of his accomplishments. Edited February 5 by RAc
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