Melvin Sparks 1946-2011

Mike Gordon sits in with Melvin Sparks at Nectar's on February 16, 2008 in Burlington, Vermont.

  
  Last Wednesday March 15, 2011, Melvin Sparks passed away at his Mt. Vernon, New York home from heart failure.  He was 64.  

  Melvin was a legendary figure in the Acid Jazz movement, played with countless musicians, and was a huge influence on many of today's best...


  "With a ferocious approach that was nothing short of a phenomena, Melvin could play notes faster than imaginable, yet he never lost his stoic stature. Then, every so often, he’d lift his head, look at the crowd and let that huge signature smile light up the room. It was a natural gesture that paid off in instant smiles in return, not unlike his signature teasing of the theme from “The Flintstones” in the middle of a jam. Simple, yet packed with joy no matter the situation, Melvin’s catch phrase was, “It’s All Good.”  (Annabel Lukins, Jambands.com)


  I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing Melvin a few times when he played at Nectar's.
 He would come to the club at least once a year, each time playing with a different line up of musicians.  Many of Vermont's best musician would frequently sit in with him.  
  He was a staff favorite at Nectar's.  Everyone loved when he came to share his music.  He was always so friendly and kind to people and he ripped on the guitar.  Melvin, thank you for your music, you will truly be missed.

Here is a video from the show...