A three tenor front line of Joe Romano, Gerry Niewood and George Ross gave a concert here back in the early '70s. They opened with drummer Vinnie Ruggiero taking eight out front, then breaking into a way up, smokin', "Three Little Words." I don't recall the rest of the group--possibly Biff Hannon, piano, and Allen Murphy, bass. I believe the concert was recorded. Would be something to again hear these greats almost 40 years ago.

Gerry was a wonderfully melodic jazz player. More importantly, he was a very nice human being. Rochester lost Joe Romano in November of '08, and now Gerry Niewood. You will be missed Gerry.

Gerry played these beautiful soaring angular lines, creating such excitement. I asked CM if those solos were prearranged, they were so perfect. He said it was a gift, that Gerry could hear all this beautiful stuff. Such a loss.

It was my great good fortune as an undergrad student to play trumpet in the Eastman Jazz Ensemble with Gerry in the late 60's. It was the transition time during which the group was, for the first time, sanctioned by the school. Jack End and then Chuck Mangione led the group, and the players included Gerry, Chris Vadala, Fred Lewis, Joe Vivone and Vince DiMartino on trumpet, and the amazing rhythm section of ony Levin, Mike Holmes, and Steve Gadd.

What I remember the most, as somewhat of a wannabe jazzer, was that Gerry would talk to those of us who weren't the strongest jazz players - he was a genuinely nice human being.

I felt so bad today when I heard he was on that flight. He'll be missed.

I worked with Gerry just a couple of weeks ago and we spent the breaks reminiscing about Joe Romano and our Rochester days. He always made the gig better no matter what it was.

Oh my God. I just read that Gerry died in the commuter pland crash at Clarence NY.
Horrible. Gerry was my fraternity brother at UB in '63 (AEPi). He loved to take me to jazz houses. We had alot of fun together. I followed his career up and rember the Central park concert when Paul Simon introduced him. So sad he's gone.

Like so many others, I loved hearing Gerry play with Churck Mangione. His improvisations always suited the particular song and carried such great creative and emotive power. Gerry and Chuck did a small concert at Florida Hospital in Orlando in Dec 2002. Afterward, Gerry spent time talking with me and was so kind in answering my questions. What a tragic and sad loss for his family and his friends.

I played bass in the Chuck Mangione Quartet with Gerry in the early 1970's. We actually met and started playing together while we were students at the University of Buffalo in the late 1960's. Believe it or not, Gerry was a pharmacy major! We played all over town most often for nothing. I joined Chuck's quartet after a stint in the Army Field Band with Steve Gadd. Growing up musically with Gerry was and still is one of the high points of my life both as a musician and a person. While we hadn't played together in years, I'll miss his intensity, his humility, his sincerity and his gracious, fun-loving personality. Today, all of my thoughts and condolences go out to his wife and son.

My sisters went to high school with Gerry. He was over our house all the time during the 60's with the Ben Franklin Gang. I was the "little sister" so I didn't get to hang out with them but do remember Gerry. My sisters and I were reminising about him today. Our sympathy to his family.

so sorry to read of this tragic loss. I remember listening to Gerry at the Shakespeare about 40 years ago..Every day is precious.. My condolences to his family and friends.

my coldolences go out to adam and his family .altho I didnt know your father personally ,i know what he did to make jazz music for and in and arouand the new jersey area. I often heard him play in small jazz clubs like trumpets in montclair,n.j. f just to play music with his friends and the public just because he loved to express himself musically and he loved and he enjoyed playing for people who enjoyed jazz music.his his true love.may he be know be playing in front of the angel gabriel and making one heck of an impression on him!

I remember attending a Mangoine concert at the Eastman back in the 70's. Gerry came on stage and these words he spoke before blowing his horn: "Beware, beware, keep your garden fair...let no man steal your time, your time, let no man steal your time". I have never forgotten those words and as I read the very sad news of his death listening to Chase The Clouds Away, I am deeply touched. My prayers go out to his family. Mangione has always had fine musicians with him throughout his career, Gerry was one of the best! God rest his soul and heal the hearts of his family.

I was fortunate enough to work with Gerry on numerous occasions. He came up a few times to play the Strath with us over the past couple years. I remember after Chuck's Friend's and Love concert last year he came in with his alto and we called him up immediately. He and Lew Soloff sat in the rest of the night. The smile on his face when he was putting is saxophone together said it all to me. This guy loved to play! He told me a couple of times over the years how fortunate he felt to do what he loved for a living. He was a complete musician! Gerry could and did do everything. He brought a very positive vibe to every situation he played in. He was a very positive person and played from his heart always!! He will be greatly missed!

My heart goes out to Mr. Niewood and Mr. Melletts' families. I first heard Gerry's Beautiful & Soulful Saxophone sound on Chuck Mangione's Chase the Clouds Away. And although I am a Trumpeter & Big Mangione fan, I sometimes felt he stole the limelight with his musical creativity. His music will live on for Eternity. . . but he will be dearly missed by his family and his musical family. God Bless them both. . . .

What a shock and such a terrible loss. I grew up a few blocks away from Gerry in Rochester and also attended PS 20 and Ben Franklin High although a few years older than him. It was always such a pleasure to hear him and watch him play.

Aside from Gerry's death being a great loss to the world of jazz we have all lost a real "mentsch", (a truly wonderful human being). Gerry's playing always reflected those qualities. Like Gerry, his music was the real thing, not pretentious and not ostentatious, but the real thing.
It's up to Adam to carry on his Dad's memory now and I know that he is up to it in all ways. I know that Gerry's memory and music will live on for many years amongst many jazz musicians, friends, family and those who just love good music. My heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Adam and all of Gerry's family on this tragic loss.
Burt Segelin, Rochester, NY

I was kind of in shock when I heard the news, and his name on Friday.

Gerry and I were good friends back in the late 60's when he and I played with the 98th Division Army Band, (which seems to be a little known fact) at the Goodman St. Reserve Center, here in Rochester. In fact we used to jam after drills on Monday nights. at the old (I think it was calld) "Inferno' ..now Norton's Pub up the street.
Whats ironic is that I e-mailed him about 3 weeks ago, to see if he remembered a trip we took to the Newport Jazz Festival while we were off duty (while attending our summer active duty at Ft Dix, NJ) for the 4th of July weekend, in 1969.
The trip had turned into a nightmare, when the crowd crashed the gates and the concert had to be canceled. The next year I moved to New Jersey, and he did the "Friends in Love" concert with Chuck Mangione, which really kind of launched his Solo Career. Then I returned to Rochester, and he moved to New Jersy...Go figure..

Ron Kindred

As the Former owner of "The Office Jazz Bar" in Nyack,New York, and as a friend of Jerry's, I was deeply touched by his passing. Having played with him on numerous occassions, as well as with many other Jazz greats, Gerry was much more than a musician. It was his warmth, kindness, and humility that I will always remember. He conducted himself in such a way that he set the standard , and other musicians including myself had tremendous respect for him. I ran into Gerry on the the subway not too long ago after not seeing him for quite a few years,and we had a great conversation as if no time at all had passed. I didn't know that would be our last. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family at this time.
Sincerely,
Jack De Pietro

A few years back I saw Chuck and Gerry play at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, CA where I've lived since the 1980's. As a transplanted Rochesterian I immediately recognized Gerry, and was excited to see him as well. I supposed that most of the audience had no idea, but I thought it was pretty cool that I recognized him and knew who he was. My condolences.

I've known Gerry Niewood for 30 years. I knew he played jazz, but I knew him as a fellow member of the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra. Gerry was the consumate professional musician. He always had a kind word and a smile and he never complained about our long hours. He was an inspiration to me and to others. You have set an example for all of us to follow, Gerry. I will miss you.
Barbara Vaccaro

I first heard Gerry on Chuck's "Land of Make Believe" album that my aunt gave me, and his remarkable playing captured me...even though I was young Trumpeter, I couldn't wait to hear Gerry's solos on Chuck's subsequent albums...marvelous melodies and soul...even though I never met him (my loss) I felt like I knew him because of his playing! I bought everything that I could find with Gerry on it and two albums, "Slow, Hot Wind" with Bill Dobbins, Lew Soloff, Bill Reichenbach, et. al., and Gerry's band TIMEPIECE were absolutely fabulous. I transcribed his solos and many of the tunes...wish we could get Herb Alpert and A & M to release these on CD. My heart sank when I heard that Gerry was on that plane and I immediately called another Eastman/Mangione grad., Rick Lawn, who had been an early mentor of mine in Iowa...we were both sick. My heartfelt condolences go out to his Family...I'm still sick about Your loss, which is OUR loss, but remember the times I heard his JOYOUS playing and will always dig him through his recorded legacy. Rest assured, all my students have known who the Sweet, Burning Gerry is! Good Bye, Sweet Muse...you left us too soon. xoxo

My husband and I saw Chuck Mangione's band awhile ago at the Blue Note in Greenwich Village. We've always loved Chuck's music especially with Gerry. He was an amazing musician. When we heard Coleman play, our jaws dropped. We thought, "Chuck has done it again with another awesome guitarist". What an unbelievable loss for the music world. Our hearts are breaking.

I am shocked and so saddened over this great loss to humanity and to the world of great music. I had the good fortune to know Gerry and Gurley from the Monte Carlo TV Show in '80. He was so beautiful in spirit and played for the sheer joy of playing! I remember they hosted our Monte Carlo Show reunion and how gracious he and Gurley were. My heart goes out to the family and the greater musician family suffering such a terrible loss. Peace and Blessings to you all - Sari

Gerry was not only a consummate musician but a stellar human being. His performance was an extension of his soul and it was always a special treat to share the stage and listen to what he had to play. He had the utmost respect for the legends that came before him as well as the colleagues that surrounded him. He viewed the world through his gift of music which afforded him the luxury of his
upbeat, positive, and open disposition. The world has lost the presence of a great man, Fortunately we still have his recorded music to remind us of his outstanding artistry.

I was saddened to hear of Niewood's tragic passing. I did not know Gerry personally, but was inspired by his unique blend of melodic jazz fusion as provided in his solo album "Share My Dream" (1985). I send my sincerest condolences to his family and close friends.

In the early days I reviewed Gerry's DMP record as a Billboard Jazz reporter. Wow what an amazing record. I remember the Central Park Concert and will never forget the playing of Gerry Niewood. I owned a record store in Westchester and Gerry was nice enough to do an in store. His playing was beautiful, I often listen and remember. Thanks Gerry for your talents.....

I'm so sorry to hear about the tragic loss of Gerry.
I knew him at Eastman, we played together in the Wind Ensemble. He and Chris Vadalla were the mainstays of the sax section, and they always sounded terrific. Gerry was a great person, and such a fine player....what a loss...

Gerry will be so missed by all who have been blessed to know him and hear him play.I had the pleasure to hang with him one night in Connecticut.He was doing a gig with my very dear friend and great pianist Joyce DiCamillo and he sounded wonderful.On breaks he and I bonded telling Phil Woods stories and the rest was history.A very sweet man,Great player and to quote Mike Melito a complete musician.In my opening I said blessed to know him and not blessed to have known him because he still lives.Gerry kiss my son up there and you Sal and Chu Nero save me a chair

I did not know Gerry personally. I was very familiar with his Soprano playing. I produced a Documentary when living in Houston Texas. The tune Hill Where the Lord Hides knocked me out. I also used the tune Look to The Children from the Chuck Mangione album Friends and Love. The documentary was based on the Viet Nam War. The performance was a sell out. People left the performance in tears after hearing for the first time