Bruce Sherman, the concertina player

[Riggy]

Goodbye to old friend of San Francisco Concertina Players and Sea Music Festivals

 

From Peter Kasin/SAFR/NPS on 09/01/2009 10:31 AM -----

 

 

Unfortunately I am writing to report to you the death of our friend and

volunteer Bruce Sherman. Most of us knew him as the concertina player

aboard Balclutha. There his masterful playing on the sailorly instrument

enchanted visitors and staff for many many years -both on weekends as well

as at many past Festivals of the Sea. His mandolin playing could also be

heard during informal jams at the Progressive Grounds Coffee shop in Bernal

Heights and the Phoenix Bookstore in Noe Valley. I myself heard in person

from Carl Nolte this weekend, who heard it from a mutual friend at the

Phoenix bookstore on 24th Street Noe Valley. I have since called that

friend and learned that a memorial will be held. James K. of the Phoenix

bookstore wrote a piece for the Noe Valley Voice which comes out Sept 1,

and Carl Nolte says he will probably be doing an obituary as well. Bruce

lived in the Excelsior neighborhood on Naples St. and is survived by a

brother Scott, sisters, and his 90 yr old Mom. Reportedly and sadly, Bruce

took his own life on August 9.

 

A memorial will be at the Noe Valley Ministry on Sat Sept 13 from 3-7pm.

Riggy

[garyk]

Goodbye to old friend of San Francisco Concertina Players and Sea Music Festivals

 

From Peter Kasin/SAFR/NPS on 09/01/2009 10:31 AM -----

 

 

Unfortunately I am writing to report to you the death of our friend and

volunteer Bruce Sherman. Most of us knew him as the concertina player

aboard Balclutha. There his masterful playing on the sailorly instrument

enchanted visitors and staff for many many years -both on weekends as well

as at many past Festivals of the Sea. His mandolin playing could also be

heard during informal jams at the Progressive Grounds Coffee shop in Bernal

Heights and the Phoenix Bookstore in Noe Valley. I myself heard in person

from Carl Nolte this weekend, who heard it from a mutual friend at the

Phoenix bookstore on 24th Street Noe Valley. I have since called that

friend and learned that a memorial will be held. James K. of the Phoenix

bookstore wrote a piece for the Noe Valley Voice which comes out Sept 1,

and Carl Nolte says he will probably be doing an obituary as well. Bruce

lived in the Excelsior neighborhood on Naples St. and is survived by a

brother Scott, sisters, and his 90 yr old Mom. Reportedly and sadly, Bruce

took his own life on August 9.

 

A memorial will be at the Noe Valley Ministry on Sat Sept 13 from 3-7pm.

Riggy

 

Riggy,

Thanks for the memorial information.

 

I hope his many instruments find good homes where they can continue to be played.

 

As Peter said, he was a true gentle soul.

Gary

[richard]

Hello Folks

 

Here is a link to a very nice piece on Bruce Sherman.

 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?.../MN7B19I8C5.DTL

 

I met him once. He played concertina at my friends' wedding in the Berkeley Hills. My friends were very active in the sea shanty scene connected to the ship Balclutha in San Francisco. I was really fascinated by his concertina and his music, it was enchanting. It was the first time I had ever seen one played! I remember I was silly enough to ask if it was easy to play.

 

R

[Paul Groff]

Many memories of Bruce have surfaced since Ricky first posted this thread... I trust Peter Kasin and the Balclutha gang made the timbers ring remembering him.

 

If you hear an old squeezebox as you sail along, just the wind in the rigging or Bruce with a song...