To the Niewood Family,

Please accept our heartfelt prayers and condolences for your loss. I had the great honor of working with, and recording with Gerry many times, including QVC and the DOVE commercial. He was an incredible musician and a truly wonderful person. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him and enjoy his incomparable talent.


With our deepest sympathy,
Tony Babino & Family
 

I did not know Gerry personally, nor had I heard of him until this tragic accident.
After checking out his myspace page, two things are quite clear:

- Gerry was an unbelievable talent as a musician
- His musicianship paled in comparison to the human being he was

May God bless him and his family.


A fellow musician.

 

It just dawned on me as I read the name again, "Gerry Niewood," that I spoke too soon when I said I hadn't heard of him until this tragedy. I realized that I had heard Paul Simon say his name 1000 times over the years from my endless hours spent listening to the Concert in Central Park album/cd.
That's amazing, unknowingly, I had been a fan of Gerry's playing for years!
 

We saw Gerry perform at the Oakville Centre last year with Chuck Mangione and was looking forward to seeing the him and the band again this year.

He put on a fantastic show and was really a class act. Very appreciative of the audience and humbly acknowledging every applause at this small venue.

We are all so very sad for your loss and our prayers are with you and your family.

He touched so many people.


 

Gerry Niewood- An old acquaintance, A musical mentor, a true musical genius who was one of the new musical innovators who brought the soprano sax in to a re-birth at a time when jazz fans were searching for a new direction among the metallic sounds of the early seventies. One of the most under-rated soloists who was so melodic in his playing that his improvisations became new melodies of their own. He searched for and found new notes, not in the typical “runs” but explored the fringe of Melodic, Harmonic, Mixolydian and Phrygian modes always coming back to the basic structure of a composition. Gerry was generous in sharing his knowledge and technique to those of us where were young and thirsty for a new and peaceful sound while displaying a uniquely fresh and different palette of tonal colors. I could never get enough of Gerry. Every improvisation was a fresh, new approach, never laying down the same lines. He was an extension of Trane, Shorter, Bechet, and even Herbie Mann. He was a quiet and peaceful soul who didn’t want the limelight but was always there in the section as a multi-reed marvel who mastered all of the woodwinds including the haunting alto flute. Your absence leaves a void that cannot be filled in this lifetime.

Joe Sorrentino- Tenor
Buffalo,NY
 

I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like for you the family. This all happened within 3 miles from my home Thursday evening. Gerry has some roots here in Buffalo, going to the University of Buffalo and playing in a lot of bands in town during his stay; Ange Callea, Jay Moran bands and the shows etc. Gerry became a hot commodity because all the "entrenched" cats played sax and clarinet but they didn't play flute let alone own one. The orchestrations began coming through with flute and even piccolo (doubling) parts and the conductors and the performers did not want to hear flute parts played on clarinet or alto sax. That made guys like Gerry and Don Menza hot prospects. I never met a musician that was so gentle and peaceful, unlike a lot of us who took on some pretty bad attitudes. He had his own voice in music and did not sound like 3,000 other Coltrane want-a-be's. Your voice will be forever.

Joe Sorrentino
Buffalo, NY

 

I knew Gerry only through his music, which is to say I knew him intimately.


His “Share My Dream” album was one of my first CDs and formed the soundtrack of a trip to Jamaica the year Halley’s Comet last appeared in the sky.


I first saw Gerry perform live with Chuck Mangione at Boulder’s legendary Tulagi’s in 1974 or early 1975, and again at CU’s Mackey Auditorium a couple of years later. About two years ago he and Chuck performed at the Broadmoor Hotel’s jazz weekend, and I had a chance to meet him during a sound check and thank him for his music.


Gerry’s music touched many souls. It feels like I have lost a friend. Thank God we have his music to comfort us.


 

What a talent, what an amazing musician and wonderful person. What a great loss this is. I have such fond memories of him; weekends at your home in Glen Ridge with your family, recording cues for my score, listening to records. He was a true sublime artist, and has inspired so many, including me. My deepest sympathies go out to you, and I will celebrate his life even as I mourn.

 

Gerry affected me as a woodwind player like no one else. I am shocked and brokenhearted by this tragic event. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have met him personally, and for his encouraging words to me. Please know your entire family is in our prayers.

 

Dave Gross mentioned this, and I put two and two together when I saw he was from Jersey. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

 

Tothe Family of Gerry Niewood...I didn't know your loved one but my heart goes out to you and your family. It is a very sad tragedy for all. I listened to Gerry's music and loved it. He will live on through his music. God bless you and give you peace during this time. You are all in my prayers.
Denise Westerman
 

To the family of Gerry Niewood,

I would like to offer my prayers and condolences to all of you at this sad time.

When I first moved to NYC I had the great fortune to play in various rehearsal bands with Gerry, including the BMI/Jazz composers workshop orchestra. I considered myself blessed to be able to play with someone whose talent and contributions to music I admired so much. When I first met him I told him that I was a fan, and he was so sweet and kind to me. He will be missed.


With deepest respect and sympathy,
Deborah Weisz
 

PLEASE EXCEPT MY PRAYERS FOR YOUR FAMILY AND ALL OTHER ON FLIGHT 3407.

 

So sad to hear that Gerry is gone. I have fond memories of gigs played with him and hanging after the gigs. I haven't stayed in touch but was looking for him here on facebook. I just saw his name and then saw RIP. So shocking. My heart goes out to family members and friends.

Peace ☮ Love ♥ & Light ☼
 

As a member of the Buffalo, NY community I share in the grief of the families and people involved with Flight 3407. I want to express my condolences. I am sorry for your loss.

I listen to the news and read the news articles printed; I realize we are so much more connected to each other than we know. My heart goes out to us all. GOD BLESS US ALL. May we all find healing and comfort in each other.

 

Very saddened by the news. Gerry was a great player and a nice person. My sympathies to all family and friends.

love and peace always and everywhere~
LL
 

I saw the friends and love reunion concert from 1970/2007 (37yr's) that was mind blowing ,i was so into it,i wonder how many people saw both concert's @ the great Eastman school of Music,both in 1970 and 2007.That's something that must be historic or something. to have alot of the same musician's from 1970,play @ the 2007 show was a truly a blessing.Amen.

 

Dear Gurly,

I cannot find the words to express how I feel but I will say that I want you and your son to know that my heart goes out to you both. If there is anything that I can do please don't hesitate to contact me through Joe LaBarbera.


Your Friend,

alphonso
 

I grew up in the Rochester, NY area and always looked up to Gerry Niewood. He was often talked about and was someone who really inspired me while growing up and continues to inspire me today. I remember when I was in middle school, I went to a concert of his at the Montage Grill. Afterwords, I brought up an old record of his for him to sign. He was one of the kindest most supportive human beings and musicians I've ever come into contact with. I went to a master class of his at the Eastman Community Music School around a year ago. He was so motivated, and really helped me to see the light in the music. I remember him talking about how when he was a child, he would take all of his instruments(flute, clarinet, saxophones) out and play them all day as if it were a game, he loved and enjoyed it so much that it was a way of life for him. It's hard to explain, but for a young budding musician, to hear someone speak this way of music was a life changing experience. I saw the light, and am now studying jazz saxophone performance at the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, MA. Gerry Niewood will always be in my heart. When I heard of him and the other Flight 3407 victims I was devastated. I can only imagine what his family is going through right now. My heart and support is with you. He was truly an unusually kind, generous and thoughtful human being and musician.


With Love,
Olivia Meyer