John Firmin

John Firmin passed away peacefully in his home in San Anselmo, CA on the morning of October 8th. He spent his final days visiting with friends and sitting in his garden, enjoying the sun and fistfuls of tomatoes. Born in Anchorage, Alaska on April 20, 1947, John was prideful of his Alaskan roots, forever cherishing the unique and fun times he had growing up with his four brothers and sister. Passionate about music from an early age, he was taught clarinet and saxophone by his father Lewis, learning the core skills he would go on to develop into a career performing music. In his mid-twenties, after a year spent working on the construction of the Alaskan Pipeline, John decided to go to Woodstock, New York to study at the Creative Music Studio, a school that had recently opened for the study of improvisational music. His studies were cut short when one of the instructors (drummer Jack DeJohnette) recommended him after singer/guitarist David Bromberg contacted the school looking for someone that could play both clarinet and saxophone. John moved to New York City to join the David Bromberg Band, playing the city’s biggest venues and touring frequently throughout the mid/late 70s.

He would later move to the Bay Area where he played in various bands throughout the early/ mid 80s. After surviving a serious spinal cord injury and nearly drowning, John worked diligently to regain his movement and strength. He would use the accident and subsequent recovery as a catalyst, motivating him to form his own group in 1989, the horn heavy Johnny Nocturne Band. Throughout the 90s and 2000s the band played locally, nationally, and internationally, some years playing Italy’s Umbria Jazz Festival in the summer and then returning to play the smaller winter festival. John married Linda Ross in 1989 and their son Jake was born in 1990. John will be remembered for his joyous sense of humor, warmhearted generosity, and love for music, chocolate, and Coca-Cola. He is preceded in death by his father Lewis, mother Geraldine, brothers Bill and Joe, and sister Anne. He is survived by his wife Linda, son Jake, brothers Bob and Jim, and dog Mr. Meeps.

A celebration of John’s life will be held in the spring.