RIP Gertrude Goode 1919-2015

23 June 2015:   Today we received the very sad news that our dear friend, Gertrude Goode – wife of my mentor and legendary bassist, Coleridge Goode – passed away. Cancer, and an impressive long innings, eventually took her away. 

Gertrude was a beautiful woman – elegant, refined, and in possession of a keen intellect. She was a wonderful wife and mother, and the perfect party host. Bright as a button, age and illness never seemed to dull her great sense of humour.

Gertrude was always about fairness and honesty, and had some insights into music and musicians that only comes with age, experience, knowledge and genuine interest in jazz people. She was a great supporter of Tomorrow’s Warriors, attending concerts with Coleridge whenever possible, and was always eager to hear about the young musicians coming through our programme, especially those who had performed at her delightful get-togethers at the Goode house. It was at these get-togethers that she would introduce me to several elders from the jazz…