R.I.P. Dusko Gojkovich

[barliman2001]

I have just learnt that Dusko Gojkovich has passed away after seven decades of a very full career that included playing with all the greats of the International Jazz world.

It's a personal thing for me as I once had a very impromptu chance of playing with him - I was attending a concert of his big band in renowned Munich jazz club "Unterfahrt", with a friend of mine playing 4th trumpet. Shortly before the interval, my friend collapsed on stage and had to be taken to hospital by ambulance for a ruptured gall bladder (he recovered and is well). While being carried out, he told me to take his place and carry on, and Dusko okayed that I jump in. I always carry my mouthpiece, or I would not have been able to do so. And so I played the second half of the concert, on an unfamiliar instrument, sight-reading (or attempting to) a programme I had never rehearsed, and managed at least not to blunder too audibly. Afterwards, Dusko told me that whenever he played in Munich, I was to have a free ticket, and invited me to a civic ceremony where he was given the Munich Medal of Honour (only twelve living incumbents at any one time!) and the Freedom of the City...
A good friend, a wonderful musician... may he now see all his friends again.

[Kehaulani]

With that first-time seeing and playing, you're in good company. I understand that Eric Miyashiro started playing with Buddy Rich by getting notified suddenly and reading the music on concert, cold.

[barliman2001]

A live concert Dusko played when already 88...

[GeorgeB]

@barliman2001

He looks and plays great for a man of 88. How old was he when he died and was he still playing ?
George

[barliman2001]

@georgeb Still playing until he peacefully passed away at age 92.