Bernard Klatzko

[LukeHiNite]

With sadness I report the passing of one of the last of the old guard of
preservationists, my friend Bernie Klatzko of Glen Cove NY. Bernie has
been a mentor and inspiration to generations of musicians and collectors;
he was a silent partner of a company called Yazoo records in the 1960s
(taking a back seat to any credit mentions as he felt it was unimportant);
he built one of the finest collections of blues and jazz in history, was
instrumental
in the blues revival of the 1960s; started his own Herwin label at the time;
and turned many heads with his Gospel music research that broadened the
horizons of many listeners, bringing to the forefront such names as Ernest
Phipps, Blind Joe Taggart, Freddie Keppard, etc. His taste was esquisite
and only surpassed by his generosity.
He was born in the Bronx on 8/30/26 and died yesterday of complications of
an older illness 11/15/99. He was a young 73.
When I was 12 years old I bought some 10 cent 78s at the local Salvation
Army in the late 60s-I bought them for a goof...what did I know...but amoung
them
was a treasured discovery to me, a Rev. F.W. Mghee and His Congregation
singing "With His Stripes We Are Healed". For me it was a part of a spark
that lasted a lifetime of such discovery...and unbeknownst to me, literally
near the same time, Bernie wsearching out the living McGhee to interview
him for posterity. Bernie's love for the music led to incredible research and
enriching musical moments through his reissue work...and in researching
this music came in contact with many rural artists, amoung them Bertha Lee
Patton herself, or the great Lonnie McIntorsh, one of the best sanctified
singer/guitarists I know.
As a young man he loved jazz and it was a tremendous springboard for him; he
played clarinet in Dixieland bands, searched out discarded recordings, and
developed relations with the likes of Brad McKuen-now legendary in the history
of documenting and preserving much of America's musical treasures. He
passed on a small amount of this vast knowledge he had, he passed on a vast
treasure of music through his life's work. Many musicians are in debt to him
for the opportunity to even hear Sanctified Jazz, Holiness String Band Music
from Kentucky, Deep Gut Bucket Jazz, Jugs, and obscure Aframerican Fiddlers.
I have to piss when I think of a visit here and I sat recieving him and
wracking
my brains as to what to play for him. He thought a while and asked for some
"hairy tango". So we listened to rare Argentine and Flamenco 78s into the
night.
"Well, it's sort of like good blues...but it's fabulous..."

Thank you from so many of us now Bernie, and so many more of us tomorrow
who may yet discover joy in musics through you.

pvc