Toronto's Jazz Wizard Jeff Healey Will Live On

His Life Should Be An Inspiration To All Of Us

Jeff Healey not only battled with cancer all his life, but was a self-taught jazz and blues mentor, here in Toronto and abroad. He was incredibly humble and probably did not know how many lives he affected. Whenever asked if he saw himself as a mentor, he rejected that role to only admit that he was just enjoying what he loved most, playing music.

Healey inspired many young musicians and with the opening of his club Healey's Roadhouse, he exhibited his primordial nature to share the stage with others at every opportunity that he could. Before closing his first location on Bathurst Street, I attended a reunion including three of Toronto's finest guitar wanking superstars on stage together - Jeff Healey, Kim Mitchell and Tony "Wild T" Springer. Talk about a TRIPPLE BLAST! Where else could we witness such a historic moment of excellence in a tightly packed, rather small venue, that turned into and intimate party of fans and friends?

My personal encounters with Jeff were always humorous and pleasant. One time he wanted me to pick out the perfect boom box for his daughter, Rachel, when she was about 8 years old. I happened to be an associate in the electronics department at the Bay and chose a model that seemed to be appropriate for her age. I told him I wanted to give him something else and he laughed heartily and said "you mean right here ... " his humour always radiated in him and he appreciated even the briefest interactions with others. I gave him a copy of Toronto's Millennium Song for his daughter and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to thank him personally for his inspiration and his music.

Jeff Healey passed from this life on Sunday evening March 2nd, accompanied by his family. He completed a total of 10 CD's throughout his career with the latest CD "Mess Of Blues" scheduled for release in April 2008. Visit www.jeffhealey.com and www.jeffhealeyband.com

Jeff, we will miss you more than you know. You live on in your music and our hearts !

Eryn Rene Vogn