Contrabass Conversations

obituary courtesy of the International Society of Bassists:

The ISB is sad to learn of the passing yesterday of bassist, composer, educator and recording artist Kelly Sill. He was 70 years old.

Kelly was a beloved mainstay of the Chicago jazz scene for more than 35 years. Born in Fargo, North Dakota, he grew up in the Chicago area. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he returned to Chicago to perform and record with jazz artists such as Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Art Farmer, Clark Terry, Cedar Walton, Herb Ellis, Woody Shaw, Hank Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel, Chris Potter, Ernie Watts, Bob Mintzer, Mel Torme, Anita O’Day, Jackie McLean, Joey DeFrancesco, Donald Byrd, Eddie Harris, Scott Hamilton, Victor Lewis, Clifford Jordan and Bucky Pizzarelli. He performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Elkhart Jazz Festival, the Red Sea Jazz Festival, Thessaloniki Concert Hall in Greece and Symphony Center in Chicago. Kelly’s discography includes more than fifty recordings as a sideman and leader.

Kelly served on the faculties of Northeastern Illinois University, Lake Forest College, DePaul University and Northern Illinois University. He also taught at the Interlochen Arts Camp, Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop, Janice Borla Vocal Jazz Camp, University of Wisconsin/Stevens Point Jazz Camp, Clark Terry Great Plains Jazz Camp and the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) Summer Music Program.

Saxophonist Gregory Dudzienski recalls his friend: “Kelly was one of the warmest, most welcoming, supportive, and funniest people I’ve ever had the fortune to spend time with. He had that way of interacting with you, that way of giving you his full attention and self that made it feel like you were the most important person in the world to him. That way of interacting carried into his playing as well.”

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