Bart Stokes (R.I.P.)

I was saddened to hear about Bart's passing. I didn't know him well while I was still in N.Z., but we worked together a lot during the time I was in Sydney, and he and Lew Campbell opened a lot of doors for me and helped me get truly established on the Australian scene. A great player and writer and someone I truly looked up to. - Bruce Johnstone

Back in the 1940s, while a salesman at Beggs, an earnest young high school student named Bart Stokes told me he was going to be a famous jazz musician. I admired his ambition and wished him well. In the next couple of years, I heard him blow a few times at the Wellington jazz venue. He certainly was getting on top of the tenor sax and was probably Wellington’s first real bopper. The cognoscenti were vastly impressed. A few years later in the 50s I was pianist with his first radio band. Bart’s arrangements were challenging and a bit unconventional and probably raised the eyebrows of the powers that be. However, we did manage to play them. Later, Bart left Wellington to pursue his career and I lost contact with him. I followed his progress by reading, listening and finally seeing him on NZ television. He always looked very cool and focused and was obviously fulfilling his ambition. I always remember that serious high school student. He lived the dream. R.I.P. - Bob Barcham

(email me your tribute to Bart and I'll add it in - andy@nzmusos.co.nz)

BART STOKES (R.I.P.)

TRIBUTES