NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ La Pena Cultural Center) - It is with great sadness to announce that beloved musician Ron Stallings died of cancer on Monday, April 13. Ron frequently performed at La Pena and was member of the La Pena 2008 International Orchestra, which in 2008 performed for the first time the musical suite La Pena - Ayer, Hoy y P'alante (La Pena - Yesterday, Today and Forward), a piece written about La Pena's cultural work and history.
In December 2003 in conjunction with La Pena, Ron organized A Context for Peace, which became an extraordinary gathering of Bay Area musicians. For the program Ron wrote, " We take this time to explore possibilities, unreasonable and otherwise to deepen our vision of what could be a context for peace." This concert was in response to the war in Iraq.
A tenor and baritone saxophonist, the "Reverend" Ron Stallings spent most of his professional life in San Francisco. He started playing the clarinet and then picked up the saxophone at age 13. Ron attended school in the San Francisco Bay Area and played in his junior high and high school bands. He was the eldest of two sons. During his career, he displayed a mastery of a variety of styles through his work with the Dells, the Temptations, Joe Williams, Louis Bellson, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight, Pete Escovedo, Dr. John, the Machete Ensemble, Otis Rush, Big Joe Turner, Jimmy McCracklin, and Ruth Brown. Stallings tours regularly with Huey Lewis and the News and co-leads the Latin jazz ensemble Que Color. Ron will be sorely missed but his music and spirit live on.
A Tribute To Rev: Celebrating The Life Of Ron Stallings
We had hoped, in planning this evening of affection and goodwill, that Rev would be able to sit in the front row and drink up all the good vibes aimed in his direction. Unfortunately, he will not be here to join us. Words cannot express how much he will be missed, but the love that lights up the room will surely be visible from space, and he will hear the music.
For the past few decades our beloved friend, Ron Stallings has brought his versatile talent as a saxophonist, flutist, composer, and singer to the local and international music community, sharing his creativity with audiences and artists in performances around the globe. To anyone who has had the good fortune of making music with Rev, hearing him play, or of simply making his acquaintance in the myriad ways that lives can intersect, it's clear that he has touched countless people with his warmth, humor, and humanity.
On the evening of Sunday, April 26th at La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley, Ron's friends, colleagues, and fans will gather in a celebration of his work and his much loved presence in our lives. Many local artists will be performing at this heartfelt musical event, and all proceeds from the concert will be donated to help with expenses that have accrued from Ron's medical care. 7:30pm $12
The line-up includes: David Belove, Brad Buethe, Stephanie Bruce, John Calloway, Jeff Cressman, Bill Douglass, Cecilia Englehart, David Ewell, Mary Fettig, David Flores, Noel Jewkes, Bob Karty, Mark Levine, Murray Low, Melecio Magdaluyo, Jenna Mammina, Ron Marabuto, Eddie Marshall, Frank Martin, Ray Obiedo, John Santos, Ray Scott, Kahlil Shaheed, Saul Sierra, Bud Spangler, Rob Sudduth, Paul Van Wageningen, Harvey Wainapel, Wayne Wallace, Marty Wehner, and John Wiitala
Master of Ceremonies: KCSM's Jesse Chuy Varela. A partial list of the musicians Ron Stallings has played and recorded with over the years includes: Merl Saunders, Linda Tillery, Boz Scaggs, Jesse Colin Young, Michael Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, The Machete Ensemble, Que Calor, Wayne Wallace, Lavay Smith, Buddy Conner, and Huey Lewis.
CALENDAR :
A Tribute To Rev: Celebrating The Life Of Ron Stallings
Sunday, April 26. 09. 7:30pm $12 (no reserved seating)
at La Pena Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Ave in Berkeley
510-849-2568 x 15
