2022 Obituary

May 18, 2022, just after 11am in the morning Paul Plimley’s spirit departed from his body. He was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in December 2021 and even though he received the best possible care, he declined quickly.

The Georgia Straight published an article “Much-loved and respected Vancouver jazz-scene innovator Paul Plimley has died at age 69” and the official obituary written by his sister, Denise Plimley was published in the New York Times.

This entire website, and much of my work for the past couple of decades remain a tribute to my companion, Paul Plimley.

Thank you Paul for all the time we spent together.

No one expected Paul to go so quickly. As always, he gave his best and left us wanting more. This time there will be no encore. The finality of his passing cannot be changed no matter how much we applaud and make noise for the master musician. The stage remains dark and the technicians are packing up. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with assistance, offers of help and kind words of condolence. I know Paul touched so many people in his journey through life.

I will always carry him in my heart and I know each of you will too. Such an outpouring of fond memories! There will be a celebration of life. A time for us to share music that Paul loved played in a beautiful space. Mourning the passing of my dear companion in life, Paul Plimley, I thought I would begin to collect some of the social media tributes and list them below. There is an additional page of detailed tributes that have been sent by email.

Aaron Vidaver has compiled a list of Paul’s music available on-line that can be found by clicking here – Warning: some may require membership to music streaming services.

There is a collection of video on this site – click here

Social Media Tributes

Paul’s social media community greeted the news of his passing with an outpouring of love and respect with expressions of their grief. I will copy as many as I can to save them on this post.

Coastal Jazz

Link to Facebook Post  · We are at a loss for words with the passing of Paul Plimley, a giant in our improvised jazz and creative scene.

A piano player, vibraphonist, and person of infectious energy and boundless enthusiasm, Paul was a staple at our jazz festival and played countless gigs with Coastal Jazz.

His impact on our creative jazz scene is incomprehensibly large. From his work founding the NOW Orchestra to his interpretations of Ornette Coleman, Paul was a joyful tornado of avant-improvisation, modal melodic manipulations, and sharp neo-classicism who delivered outstanding performances with countless musicians in our creative scene. Full of cheek and mischief, when Paul said your name he said it with such gusto that you felt like a movie star. He had a talent not only for music but for joy and love, he could make you feel like the most important person in the room.

To all of Paul’s family and friends, our thoughts are with you and we mourn this great loss alongside you.

To Paul, you are deeply missed and though you might be gone from sight your energy carries on forever through the music.

Mark Miller

Post by Mark Miller  May 18, 7:22 pm · I am stunned by word tonight from Vancouver of the passing of Paul Plimley, one the Canadian jazz scene’s true originals, at the age of 69. I once described him as “an impulsive improviser whose considerable expressivity and physicality at the keyboard, post-Cecil Taylor, was leavened by a lyricism born — he would say — of Debussy and a twinkling sense of humour, if not mischief, entirely of his own.”

Reply: Craig McCaw So sorry to hear of his passing. A true original in every way. Always interested, interesting, and full of that amazing positivity. What a loss.

Nou Dadoun

Nou Dadoun shared Mark Millers post – May 18th at 8:36pm· Paul Plimley’s passing really hurts in so many ways.

Paul was one of the first Vancouver musicians I met when I came to Vancouver in 1979 – I remember going to hear Paul’s octet (presented by NOW!) at the Western Front and totally loved it. We became very good friends over the years and I can’t count the number of performances he gave over the years that he reached in and touched my soul.

He had a standing invitation to drop into the A-Trane and he took it up a number of times although we never got around to that session we were going to have on tuba players.

He lived around the corner from Black Swan Records in the last years when it was on Broadway and he was always up for a hang to hear the new sides. And any Zappa release that came in the door when out again (in his hands) just as quickly. At one time he had scoped out doing a solo album of Zappa tunes but never followed through on it and I would tease him about it occasionally when I would run into him.

The late night jazz fest hangs with Paul were always the best, in the early years people would gather at Benny’s Bagels, or Studio 16 or the Glass Slipper and the later years were at IronWorks – nobody could out hang Paul! He had energy and enthusiasm to spare whatever he did!

I heard that he was sick and had moved into the hospice the day before I left for NY and sent a message of love and a hope that I could see him when I got back but I’m now devastated that it wasn’t to be.

Goodbye Paul, you touched a lot of people with your music and just as many with your heart. I know that you know that you were and are loved …

Reply to Mark Miller: Ron Samworth Thank you Mark. That photo captures him to a T!

Diane Smithers

 Diane posted March 19, 2022  · Farewell, Paul Plimley

Reply: Itamar Erez What an amazing picture…

Reply: Kidd Karrim So long, farewell, abschied, farvel, adieu, veda, goodbye…send us the vibes from on high. Such a special being you are.

Michael Heffley

Michael Posted  · Sharing this review I did for Signal To Noise magazine sometime ago, here to honor the passing of the great Paul Plimley. It’s a duo CD he did with the also great Mei Han. RIP&P

ACADEMIA.EDU download link Han Mei & Paul Plimley: Ume, Improvisations for Zheng and Piano The earth moves with attitude in Paul Plimley’s left hand’s opening notes. It takes no nonsense from his right. Mei Han, Paul’s right hand zheng master, gives none. The immediate results are a flash breeze of recognition between the distant string . . .

Reply: Mei Han Mike, Thank you very much for sharing this review. I almost forgot that you wrote this review for Signal To Noise. I always enjoyed reading your writing. Ume was special to me. Playing with Paul was always exciting. He was such a giving artist with an amazing ability to listen, support, and inspire. In Dec. 2020 when I went back to Vancouver, we played our last jam session at his home. The video Randy posted last night was from that session.

Ron Samworth

Ron Samworth’s post  · May 19, 3:11am My friend, colleague, inspiration and source of enormous comic relief, Paul Plimley has passed.

I met Paul in 1985 as I was welcomed into the NOW (New Orchestra Workshop) fold as a young earnest 23 year old improviser. Paul welcomed me with open arms and as a closet guitarist and huge fan of popular music, we would go deep down the well, sharing arcane trivia and generally just laughing our asses off.

Paul was a luminous presence both at the piano and in any room he inhabited. Many comparisons have been made to Cecil Taylor (one of his mentors), but Paul owed as much to Duke and perhaps more significantly to Al Neil to whom he was heir apparent. I might add that Paul could do spot on voice imitations of these guys that would put you on the floor. His gift for mimicry was awe inspiring, yet he was never a mimic in his art. He had a truly original voice – was completely authentic and true to himself. I’ll miss him, his warmth, humanity, friendship and artistry. Rest well Brother Lou! xox

Reply: John Korsrud Thanks Ron. A sad day. One of a kind person. Loved him as a musician. Loved him as a great human.

Bill Clark

Bill Clark facebook post link  May 18 at 5:46pm· Paul Plimley. An icon of Vancouver music has left this realm. For all of us that knew him, his joy and humour are resonating with us right now. I can hear his voice, see his face and visualize his story telling like we are at a coffee shop in Amsterdam. For those of us intimately tied to the improvisation community we have lost an elder, a unique voice, a force and inspiration.

I first played with Paul in the late 70’s and first played in his Octet in 81 and 82. We went a long way back sharing the joy of music. To all his friends and family my deep condolences. Sad, sad loss. Rest in peace dear friend and colleague.

Reply: Martin Gotfrit Like many I played with Paul in the late 70s, early 80s and a little later he taught piano to one of my sons. The lessons were often improvisations on his grand piano. My son was around 5/6 years old and those lessons were mostly him playing the keys while Paul would play on the strings. Paul was a luminous soul with incredible musical creativity and a kind heart.

Wayne Stewart

Wayne posted May 19, 2022· Paul Plimley was an exceptional artist, a transcendent pianist, a raconteur of the first order, and a good friend, and I am sad I have to speak of him in the past tense. Rest In Power, Paul. My sincere condolences to his friends and loved ones.

Joe Sorbara

Joe Sobara’s Facebook Post   · I’ve been thinking a lot about Paul Plimley today in light of his death.

What a beautiful thing it has been to read here about the deep connections so many of you had with him and to learn about him through your remembrances.

I had admired Paul’s music for decades before I found myself playing in a trio with him and Clyde Reed during one of the weekly sessions Clyde included me in while I was living in Vancouver.

It was immediately apparent to me that Paul was one of those rare musicians who truly played who he was. He actually vibrated with an almost frenetic energy that wasn’t nervous as much as it was curious. Yet he was as generous with his attention as he was with his curiosity; his eyes and his ears—his whole being, really—were wide open. I remember him asking questions with great intention and really caring for what I had to offer in response. And all of this is true of the person I met both in and out of the music, if those spaces are indeed distinct.

After we hung out and played in Clyde’s basement a few times I ran into Paul on the street and we spoke at length. I felt that I’d found a friend. We connected briefly at a few shows, as well, and I feel lucky to have had the chance to play with him once more during the performance pictured here at 8EAST along with JP Carter.I had hoped to connect with Paul again this summer when I’ll be back in town and I expect that I will do just that. My love to all of you who knew and loved him.

Reply: Andrew Timar – John Oswald compiled this beautiful, iconoclastic tribute album to Paul over the last 24 hrs.

Producer John Oswald has compiled this collection, all featuring or plunderizing Maestro Plimley, as a gift for Paul, which we are sharing with you. “Paul Plimley” on Bandcamp

Reply: Arthur Garwood Delahooke It’s really remarkable just how many people this man left an impact on during his time on earth. A truly wonderful and incredibly unique human. Absolutely a gem of a human being and no one truly like him.

Chris Gestrin

Chris Posted May 19, 2022  · Another big loss for the Vancouver music community. So sad to hear of the loss of Paul Plimley. Never have I met anyone more EXCITED and PASSIONATE about music and life! Rest in peace, Paul.

Reply: Carol Sawyer dang. I am so sorry to hear this news.

Kaen Valoise

Kaen posted · This world just got a lot less cool. Fuck man.. I’m really going to miss running into Paul Plimley and feasting on his tsunami of energy and talent.

Reply: Stefan Smulovitz You nailed it. So sad. Nobody else like him

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Lukas Ligeti >Paul Plimley

Post by Lukas Ligeti  · Paul Plimley: without any doubt one of the most creative, musical improvisers I’ve ever worked with. And one of the most friendly, playful, and lively. I’m completely shocked and in disbelief that he is not alive anymore.

Rita Ueda

Rita posted  · — with Paul Plimley and David Danel.

Reply: Nyla Sunga oh Paul, just slipped on the ring and disappeared, oh! This is so very sad.

Reply: John Zoltek So very very sad ..

Colin Corner

Colin Posted:  May 22, 2022 · R.I.P. Paul Plimley. He was such a brilliant musical mind and one of the most generous and warm people I have ever met. A true genius, and I feel fortunate I was able to learn from him and play with him briefly in Vancouver.

Emma Lancaster

Emma Lancaster posted   · A long ass time ago I was vended out as a person who could turn a hand sketch into a visual score. The time I spent cranking that out with Paul Plimley set the tone for my life since. I am not sure how to process the terrible news that we all are trying to process. Sleep well, beautiful man.

Reply: Doug Tuck So sad to read this news. I took a jazz survey course with him many years ago and learned a ton. Whenever I ran into him, he remembered me and we connected. Lovely talented eccentric man.

Reply: Susan J Broatch Emma I just woke up what’s going on? NM just opened all my messenger stuff. Wreckage. Total Wreckage…

Mackenzie Gray

Post by Mackensie Gray  · I was very sad to learn yesterday of the death of my dear friend Paul Plimley.

Paul was the warmest, most vibrant, wacky, engaging, positive and sharp-witted man and he was always a delight to be around and also to work with. His musical skills were off the charts- one of the greatest Jazz pianists in the world, he took up guitar in his 50’s and mastered it too. His performances at the Vancouver Jazz Festival were legendary, and he was just an amazing man.

We were meeting fairly often for coffee last year, then he seemed to only show up infrequently. I had no idea he was dealing with cancer. He kept that to himself.

Years ago, he was helping me with a musical audition – I was singing an Elton John song. He asked me for a CD to compare the published music sheets with the original, because they seemed wrong to him. And he was right. Paul asked if he could borrow the CD because he didn’t have any of Elton’s music and he wanted to study Elton’s piano work. For years, whenever we’d meet, he’d say “Oh! I must get that Elton John CD back to you!” And we never did. The last time I saw him, he said that again. And we laughed because it was our “thing”. Whenever I listen to Elton now, I will think of Paul. Rest in peace, my dear friend.

Lan Tung

Lan Tung’s Post  · To Paul Plimley, a great friend and mentor! Paul was willing to spend the time to play with me when I was just at the beginning stage of improvising. He taught me so much. He was a great influence and inspiration to so many.

He named his commission for the Orchid Ensemble “Proliferasian“, and later allowed me to call my new ensemble in that name. When Paul came to Orchid Ensemble’s rehearsals of the piece, we had a 4th part to the trio – that’s his dance. He demonstrated with his body how we would all play in different tempo at the same time…

Before cell phone took over for communication, Paul was one of the people I could call after 10pm because he was always up late at night like me. He always picked up the phone with very warm greetings and started to talk about what’s on his mind (could be a million things). Maybe 20 minutes later, there might be the first brief pause. Then I would have the chance to say, “Paul, can I tell you why I have called…”. Then we both laughed. This must be the experience with a lot of his friends. You know what I am talking about.

I regret that I was not able to see him one last time because I had been away from Vancouver the past couple weeks. But like I said to Victoria, it’s sad and at the same time not possible to be sad thinking of Paul because he brought so much joy to life. Memories of him was full of fun and laughter.

Reply: Sutrisno Hartana I am sorry to hear this suddened news. My condolences to you and other family. RIP Paul Plimley.

Reply: Mary Oliver Beautifully said, Lan.

Reply: Ben Rogalsky Thanks for posting this photo, Lan Tung. Paul was a one of a kind and I’m really going to miss his endless delight and curiosity.

Same photo: Ben Rogalsky I’m going to miss Paul and his boundless enthusiasm and curiosity. I loved how every time we would run into each other he would recount in amazing detail the last time we had seen each other and all the circumstances surrounding it, who was there, what we had talked about. Regardless of the length of time that had passed – years in some cases.

I originally met him in the 90’s when he composed a piece for the first Gamelan Madu Sari record, for which I had to figure out how to play these amazing complex and precise polyrhythmic phrases that were little blasts of insight into how his brain worked musically. I always enjoyed seeing him play or just running into him, and it seems very strange that someone with such youthful joy and boundless enthusiasm is gone. A one of a kind.

Randy Raine-Reusch

A rare improvisatory musical moment caught on tape with Paul Plimley on piano and Randy Raine-Reusch on zheng, during a recording session with Plimley and zheng virtuoso Mei Han at Waterlou Studios for an upcoming series of online video concerts.

RRR posted  · Paul, I will miss you a lot. Who else can I tell rapid fire puns with so people spit their beer accidentally, or share great stories with of all our musical exploits, or make amazing music with no matter what instruments we play. You are an amazing being Paul, and wherever you are now, they are extremely lucky to have you. The Afterlife Orchestra has just gotten a monster player. Travel well my friend. You are loved beyond measure. — with Paul Plimley.

Reply: D’Arcy posted  May 18, 2022 · I’m so saddened by the tragic loss of Paul Plimley. I have known Paul since before I ever stepped on a stage. Such talent, energy, and light Paul was. Just a pure ball of positive magnetism. He was truly one of a kind. I’m fortunate to have been taught by Paul, to be in possession of a chart he wrote for one of my projects, and just to be able to say I knew him. Travel well, Paul. You will be missed.

RRR posted to Victoria Gibson  · I am sending you big hugs. This must be a difficult time for you. You were always there for Paul. You were the technical skill supporting his performances, facilitated many of his projects, and here you are still managing his website. Very few people know the tremendous amount of work you did for him behind the scenes. Mei and I see you, we know who you are, the talents you have, and the absolutely gigantic heart that you have. You are a special being, and deserve all the love that can be given. Hugs, hugs, and more hugs.

Reply: Lauren Ollsin So true. This is just what I have been hoping to put in words. Thank you Randy, and thank you Victoria for being the kind, generous, gifted, brilliance that you are. Paul was better for it. And I’m better for it.

Alexander Varty  · May 18, 2022

I was just sitting down to write some words for Paul Plimley, who passed away today, when a peacock flew onto my balcony.

I kid you not.

Not that I think this is a message from the beyond—any more than EVERYTHING is a message from the beyond, these days—but it’s certainly a meaningful coincidence.

Paul could sure peacock it at the piano, but never in an arrogant way, always in the spirit of generosity, beauty, and surprise.

I’ll miss our chance meetings, hugs, and talks.

My condolences to all who loved him; I’m just one of many!

Reply: Phil Emerson Well said, Alex…One of those very special people, in so many ways. Above all, Paul Plimley was one of those people, you’d start feeling better, standing next to him.

Reply: Ken R Emerson This is shocking to say the least. Paul was a wonderful gifted artist, I’m so glad my brother introduced me to him and got to spend time together in Vancouver. Condolences..

Reply: Alexander Varty We didn’t play together nearly often enough, but at least we recorded once, thanks to John Oswald and Mascall Dance.

Reply: Andrew Timar I remember John O. playing this brilliantly cheeky work for me when it was new, before I’d met Paul.

Reply: Ken Eisner He used to come over and play my guitars when, he said, the piano started feeling too restrictive!

Reply: Ed Henderson I’m in shock – loved Paul – I had no idea he was not well. Wish I had.

Reply: Lisa Butel Really sorry to hear this news. He was so joyful to watch.

Reply: Mina Shum Love this.

Reply: Travis Baker I was lucky enough to have had a mentor of sorts in Paul. For upwards of a year I would regularly go to his house and we’d jam for a couple of hours. I would leave a humbled man lol. I learned so much from those sessions!

After he found out I was taking the bus he started giving me a ride home.

Reply: Bob Blair I was very sad to get this news. I knew Paul when we were both kids – our parents were very close friends (we even called them “aunt” and “uncle”). I had not seen him in decades until we had a wonderful, albeit brief, reunion a few years ago at an improvised music event in Vancouver. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend Alexander – I will always wish he and I had kept in touch over the years.

Reply: Zulis Yalte Thank you for posting Alex. I am very sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. He was an extraordinary human.

I met him when looking for accommodation while attending Emily Carr in mid 80s. I was fortunate enough to sub-let his Immense record collection and co-incidentally, his flat. We kept in light touch for a few years with serendipitous meetings a couple of times through the years. A beautiful person and pleasure to know even a little.

Fly with abandon Paul … you were a gift 

Reply: Michael Kinal Very sad news, was truly a great friend. I will miss him dearly.

Reply: Valdine Ciwko Such sad news. I remember his whirlwind visits at the old folk festival office. Great guy.

Reply: Ayelet Rose Gottlieb This is so incredibly sad… safe travels to the other side

Reply: David Prentice Very sad news. Although I haven’t seen him in sometime I imagined running into him and seeing that big smile.

Reply: Robyn Carrigan A beautiful man, a wonderful musician. Very sorry to hear this.

Reply: Colin Griffiths Paul embodied the joy of the uninhibited blithe spirit, forever curious, with a contagious rampant enthusiasm and belief in the inveterate potential of others that led us into beautiful places of abundance for us all to share.

So sorry he’s gone and so very glad he was with us… 

Reply: Nick Mitchum god damn it…i just messaged paul yesterday asking him why i didn’t see his name anywhere in the new jazzfest guide…i was mad…now i’m sad…pic is the first day of the jazzfest 2019…

Reply: Susan Alcorn My condolences to you, Paul’s family and friends, and especially Victoria Gibson. I only knew him from a visit to Vancouver in 2017, but what an incredible musician, and what a kind, and funny, person he was.

Reply: Bob Petterson So sorry to hear this. I didn’t know that he wasn’t well. He was a neighbour of Mud Bay’s drummer, Murphy Farrell and I have fond memories of summertime get togethers at Murph’s place with Paul always joining in the backyard jams. Invariably, in more recent years, he would come over with a guitar and play that more than the piano. He will be missed.

Reply: Nick Mitchum i remember paul saying he was letting his fingernails grow long while learning to play classical guitar but thought it was weird that he could hear his nails on the keys when he played piano…oddly this is the pic on his wiki page…

Reply: Nick Mitchum paul pickin’ at the jazz fest… Paul with String Stories at the Jazz Fest – Phil Emerson + Tommy Babin

Nick Mitchum

Posted by Nick Mitchum  · 

Video by Nick Mitchum   · Jan 11, 2019

a rainy thursday nite in chinatown…the first 9 minutes…Paul Plimley…Clyde Reed…Kenton Loewen…@ 8EAST

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François Houle

Francois posted  May 18, 2022· When I first moved to Vancouver in 1990, Paul Plimley’s name kept coming up as one of the must see and hear musicians on the local scene. As a young musician, getting to know Paul was a blessing. He was generous, welcoming, kind, and funny as heck! I dont think I’ve ever heard a gig where he wasn’t his ebulient self, and 100% committed to the music (as in this photo by Vincent Lim). Paul, you were and always will be an inspiration. Rest in peace

Reply: Phil Durrant Oh no! One of my most memorable gigs was a quartet with him, John Oswald and Barre Phillips at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival in the late 90s. I was a bit scared because I had pigeon-holed Paul Plimley as a busy Free Jazz pianist. I needed have worries as he – and John Oswald – played in a more UK SME style which really helped me. It was special playing with him and socialising as well.

Reply: Joëlle Léandre I remember, à fantastic musician !!

Reply: Benoit Delbecq Oh that’s so sad. Paul was a wonderful musical force and a memorable human being. Much love to all his friends and family.

Reply: Janine Island Oh no! This is sad news

Astrid Sars

Astrid posted   · RIP Paul Plimley So sad to hear of the passing of Paul Plimley I am in shock His energy was so beautiful his music incredible whenever I would run into him at a festival or gig …just being around him made me feel full of life and love and positivity

I will so miss his presence

You will be missed Paul

Reply: Nyla Sunga Yes to lose such a special and generous person, such an adventurous and wild musician, what a loss to all of us.

Reply: Ron Samworth Yeah, he sure lit up Ironworks when he hung out there!

Gordon Grdina

Gordon Grdina posted:  ·  I cannot think of a more unique, kind, and beautiful soul than Paul Plimley. He embodied the music and beauty inside and out. I can’t believe I won’t get to hear him speak or listen to him play again. The world has lost one of the masters and guiding lights. RIP

Reply: Tim DuRoche Oh no. No. That’s so beyond words sad – such a beam of light and so full of joy…playing with he and Lisle was like the best conversation in your favorite relative’s living room

Reply: Brad Winter An amazing and important musical voice. Paul was a wonderful person and a true music/humor genius. I’ll miss him forever.

Reply: Marian Penner Bancroft very sad news. an extraordinary man, an extraordinary piano player. no one else I know had more joie de vivre than Paul. a joy to know him.

Reply: Walter Quan Omg no…

Reply: Diane Kadota Plimley was complex. He made it all seem easy. Thinking about him, joining Ross, Brad M and me one early morning after an all night talk at the Quentin Hotel “bar”. So many stories. So much love.

Reply: Scott Amendola What??

Reply: Mats-olof Gustafsson This is terrible news!! Amazing person!!!! OverthetopGREAT!!!!

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Naomi Singer

Naomi posted  May 20, 2022· Like everyone, I adore Paul Plimley. He was so wide open there was an immediate intimacy that freed one’s spirit into delighted play. Our special toy was language and we tossed it around mercilessly, pushing each other to attain ridiculously intricate images and ideas of nonsensical delight. Paul was also one of the few people I could show my jazz drawings to without fear of judgment. He generated so much creativity and appreciated all energy. He was so far out there! I’m feeling a wild mix of grief and disbelief and rage and love and pure joy and gratitude that I knew this sweet improbable unicorn. Our collective loss is immeasurable. — with Paul Plimley and 2 others.

Scott Lewis

Scott Lewis posted  May 30, 2022 · I’m still coming to terms with the recent death of my longtime friend Paul Plimley, who was as full of life as anyone I have ever met.

Both being lateral thinkers whose minds were prone to heading off madly in all directions, we hit it off immediately when we met. We would have the most amazing conversations that would start somewhere, veer off into a dozen or two other topics, and then magically end up right back where we started.

And his music was just like his mind, virtuosic, creative, responsive, unpredictable, exciting. A Delicate Chestnut Roll, indeed…

I will never forget one night. We were hanging out after a concert when he invited me over to his place, which was the only remaining occupied place in a row building near VGH that was about to be torn down. For some reason he asked me if I wanted to jam. I headed to my place nearby and grabbed my clarient, which I generally played for a few minutes every five years or so. But Paul had such big ears that even with my limited out of practice skills we had a great jam that left us both laughing.

Goodbye, old friend. You were one of a kind! I hope this picture I took at one of your gigs captures the fire that illuminated your music.

Reply: Marcus Pollard Damn. That’s a loss to you and all of the jazz community. I still remember that Random Thought show at Open Space…

Reply: Tom Swift I still can’t believe he’s no longer among the living. RIP

Reply: Naomi Singer Thanks for this lovely memory Scott. I too am still trying to process the devastating loss of such a vivacious and generous human. Paul was pure delight.

Nathan Levine

Nathan posted  May 19, 2022 · Paul Plimley was undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary musical mentors that I have been lucky enough to know and work with over the years. His zeal for living a life filled with magic, merriment and mirth will always be an inspiration and will never ever be forgotten. RIP Pablo.

Reply: Kidd Karrim Incredible photo, it is so him.

Kenneth Newby is with Paul Plimley.

Kenneth Newby May23, 2022 · Living Together Outside the Box

Domestic creatives. . . .The Great Dandelion-stalk Trumpet Orchestra with Andreas Kahre and Lorna Mulligan. . Triple-layer cake. . Thunder-claps and lightning in the home. . . . . Oboe in the attic. . . . . . . . . Piano in the parlour. . . . . . . . . . . . . Drums from the deep

Practice and everything is coming. . . Inventions spontaneous . . . . . . . Bassoon and Piano . Late-night listening. . . . . discussions debates. . . . . . . . . Zappa. . . . . . . . . . . . Stockhausen. Homemade musique concrete. . Shouting into the piano with the pedal down. . . . Resonance. . . . . . . High amusement. . . . . . . . . Life affirmed

Mission accomplished . . . . Joy!

Reply: Andreas Kahre I remember it well! Thank you, Kenneth.

Jesse Zubot

Jesse posted  May 18, 2022 · Saddened by the loss of the great spirit Paul Plimley.

Reply: Jon Siddall Nobody smiled like Paul smiled. Nobody played like Paul played.

Reply: Lisa Cay Miller Lisa posted May 21, 2022  · RIP Paul Plimley, you were brilliant, well spoken, generous, enthusiastic, an incredible pianist and supportive community member. Love to his loved ones.

Jaime Clay is with Paul Plimley.

Jaime Posted  · Vancouver and the world has lost a musical voice that will be unmatchable. Paul Plimley has started to tinkle the sky’s ivories with abandon now.

In 2005, I got a chance to work with him and a bunch of other young musicians (I say ‘young’, because Paul was ready for everything and anything, and when asked to do the CD and perform, he said how amazed he was at the young(er) minds and what they were ‘coming up with’ – and he included me in that bunch! Bless his heart! even though he was only 2 years older than I lol!) on a CD/Performance project for the Vancouver Planetarium, about the anniversary of a show the Planetarium did back in the late 1960’s. He was fun, studious and all four eyes and ears were wide open. Stay fun, Paul!

Brad Winter

Brad and Laura Winter’s Facebook Post  · Hugs to you Vicky!!!! So sad to hear of Paul’s passing away. We are devastated and will hold oh, so many memories of his laughter, expressions and incredible musical skills. He was one of kind and a very special friend. So glad to know that he had you (his true friend) with him in his final days. Love from Brad and Laura.

Marc L’Esperance

Mark posted  May 18, 2022 · Paul Plimley has gone on to his next gig. RIP Paul. Uncompromising artist, affable raconteur, gigantically talented and creative beyond measure. I will miss you, Paul.

Reply: Daphne Roubini Rest In Peace.

Reply: Karin Plato Yes, “affable raconteur” you’re so right Marc. Such a sad loss. Great photo of Paul immersed in the moment thanks for sharing.

Tim Reinert is at 8EAST.

Absolutely heartbroken.

We love you Paul.

Tim Posted  · Vancouver  · It’s a school night, but I still managed to stop in at @8eastspace after my meeting and catch a set by one of the most exciting working groups on the scene today: Paul Plimley, Kenton Loewen, and Tommy Babin. Jeff Younger opened the show, and sat in with the band later, though I couldn’t stay for that part. #vancouverjazz @ 8EAST

Katherine Lee

Katherine Lee posted  May 18, 2022 · No, no, no, no, no Always upbeat and optimistic, Paul Plimley used to pour his entire being into every performance, every interaction. I think intensity must have been his middle name. I first met him (and Tony Reif) close-up, while we worked together on his CD-R Everything In Stages, at DNA Media in the mid-1990s.

Chick Rice’s photography provided some moody frames of Paul’s normally effervescent demeanour. Gregory Ronczewski, the creative director for the CD artwork and interactive, loved these contrasty captures, though at the time I remember Paul remarking how unused he was to seeing himself portrayed that way. Still, the seeming gravity of these portraits fit into a genre of classic jazz photographs, and suited the angularity of Paul’s compositions.

My small contribution was on the sound design for the “R” portion of the CD…Paul later became a music instructor to me and to Bryn for a short time. For me, it was in the hopes of reviving my piano musicianship. He used to say to me, how we should get together and jam with our guitars. Unfortunately, now it is too late. I am glad to learn he had good friends close to him during these “stages” of transition to the next world. Still, this is such a sad shock both personally and for our community. https://songlines.com/release/everything-in-stages/

Jhayne Faust is with Paul Plimley. May 18th at 4:21pm

I’ve been very quiet lately, in part because there’s been an incipient death in the family on the horizon. Today it came to be. Paul Plimley, beloved of many across the wild world and a father in my heart, died of cancer today in Vancouver, BC, away from his precious pianos, but cared for and with the knowledge he was loved.

Like many people, Paul Plimley was not prepared for how quickly cancer takes a life away, so I did not get to say goodbye, but I know he got to spend many of his final moments with my mother, his darling Victoria, and that brings some comfort. He and my mother were a couple for a few years, back when I was a sprout, and stayed inseparable best friends in the decades since. He once asked me if it was okay that sometimes he pretended I was his daughter and I replied there could be no higher honour.

It feels impossible that we’ve been robbed so soon of his goofy laughter and kind heart, his iconoclastic, arty jokes and his frankly adorable everything else. He was a soft, gentle man, who did his best and was, quite often, successful at it. I was blessed to know him. We were all blessed. May his memory always be a celebration.

———————–Photo by Peter Gannushkin, 2011, at yet another of his hundreds (thousands?) of Jazz Festival appearances. Wikipedia photo by me, 2008, at a workshop we did as a family at the Vancouver Children’s Festival.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Plimley

Reply: Jordie Vézina Levasseur William Parker performed yesterday night at FIMAV with Ava Mendoza and Francisco Mela (we had to cancel Dakh Daughters and he was the replacement for this concert). He dedicated the concert to Paul.

Reply: Viviane Houle Deepest condolences to all of his family and friends. He lit up a room. He lit up my heart with his twinkly eyes, his laughter. I remember seeing him play for the first time. It changed my life and my understanding of music and improvisation.

Reply: René Lussier Triste nouvelle!!Sympathies à ses proche et amis musiciens

Reply: Cindy Schreyer He taught both our kids piano lessons for years . We always had dinner together after he taught the lessons . We laughed we would talked we would eat . Many times we would say we should have Paul Plimley over for dinner when one of our kids would return home from Toronto . But alas we never did the last few years with covid . How sad I am that we didn’t . We loved Paul . We will miss him . He was an amazing man .

Reply: Susan Alcorn This is so sad. MY deepest condolences to you and Victoria.

Reply: Mark Linsley I’m so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing, he was a close friend of my Older brother Rob since the beginning of High School and remained friends until my brothers passing a couple of years ago, Paul was a remarkable guy full of life with a kind kind soul, he is going to be missed

Reply: Michelle Joy Ochitwa He popped into my head earlier this week. Meeting him at that little jazz improv place on Granville (10-something?… gawsh that’s half my lifetime ago). Yakking after a concert at the Orpheum and suddenly finding that we were waltzing on the sidewalk as if that’s just what you do when you talk about Mahler. Paul laughing and moving aside when Ray play-growled at him at the intermission of the David Byrne concert when Paul stood next to me for a group photo you were taking (because Ray wanted to stand next to me). Bumping into him and your mom at various concerts and always getting the lit-up recognition as though it was a real pleasure just to know we all existed. I idly wondered this week when next Ray and I might bump into him again. Oof. Love to you and Victoria Gibson !

Reply: Jared Burrows Terrible news. He was a wonderful man with an unparalleled enthusiasm, sense of joy, and zest for life.

Reply: Gavin Walker I am heartbroken and deeply saddened by his transition but I am also forever grateful that all my meetings and conversations with Paul enhanced my life in ways that are beyond words. Safe journey Paul.

Reply: Nel Finberg· This is really horrible loss … Paul was one of the most radiant, brilliant and iconoclastic locals, a towering figure in improvisational music whose musical skills many of us have been able to taken in for much of our adult lives.

Victoria Gibson

Victoria posted: · May 21, 2022

Mourning the passing of my dear companion in life, Paul Plimley. Thank you Paul for all the time we spent together. No one expected Paul to go so quickly. As always, he gave his best and left us wanting more. This time there will be no encore. The finality of his passing cannot be changed no matter how much we applaud and make noise for the master. The stage remains dark and the technicians are packing up. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with assistance, offers of help and kind works of condolence. I know Paul touched so many people in his journey through life. I will always carry him in my heart and I know each of you will too. Such an outpouring of fond memories! There will be a celebration of life. A time for us to share music that Paul loved played in a beautiful space.

Reply: Nick Apivor – In the days following Paul’s passing I watched 2 documentaries about Monk. Not for any particular reason, I mean, I love Monk, but it wasn’t a conscious thing. Anyway, it just hit me now. Paul, in many ways was our “Monk”. Same quirkiness, playfulness, brilliance, absolute uncompromising dedication to the music., absolutely ” in the moment ” every second he played. They were musical brothers in spirit. It was an honor to witness that brilliance.

Victoria posted  · May 22-2022

with Paul Plimley — Updating Paul’s website. I wrote a brief section, then continued with some tributes copied from social media. Please PM me if you want to edit, add or delete the post you wrote from Paul’s site. Photos are credited if I know who took them. If you know, I can add that info. I will add more of the tributes — these are the first I saw. If you want to bypass posting on social media you can send material to me. PM me for my email address.

Reply: François Houle – Deepest and most heartfelt condolences, dear Vicky. Beautiful tributes to a most amazing human being…

Reply: Mei Han – Dearest Vicky, my deepest condolences to you. In the last 2 decades I have witnessed your love and dedication to Paul and his music endeavour.  I think Paul made a great choice to have you taking care of his music creations and, as friends here commented, you did a wonderful job in gathering and creating this collection of peer’s loving memories of Paul. I put out a video of a piece Paul and I played to commemorate his passing. If you would like to add to this post, I can send you the link. Thank you .

Reply: Gerry Hemingway– Hi Vicki – this sad news found its way to me just recently. I send my deepest condolences to you for enduring the empty place that is inevitably created with this departure. Paul was a feast of ceaseless invention. I always enjoyed our meetings over the years and the spirit and abandon he brought to music of the moment. We briefly attempted to get our concertos for orchestra performed in Vancouver as a double bill but it did not work out. But we did do together was a magic I wont forget.

Reply: Brad Winter -Thank-you for all of your efforts/love on Paul’s behalf. He WAS a very special soul, creative, funny and full of heart. I honestly loved the guy and will treasure every moment (musical or otherwise) I was privileged to share with him. Love, Brad.

PM => Victoria : Mark Branscombe of Mud Bay Blues Band

Hi Victoria, Still processing the sudden news. Condolences to you and family. Seems that although we may have only met about a dozen times, Paul felt like family.

We had met at a few social events usually hosted by the Farrell family. It was always with a joyful interchange of banter, one liners and his instantaneous warmth.

Such a privilege to have been able to play with Paul, informally and in performance as well as on a recording project. One of my sweetest musical moments was a 3 song set of Motown we played at an East Van high school backing a trio of young ladies cranking out the tunes like they were their greatest hits. Paul did that as a favor to friends. A generous soul that will be missed by us all.

Reply: Bobbi Kozinuk My Condolences Victoria, he was an amazing person

Reply: Jhayne Faust

Reply: Ann Hepper I was very sad to hear about Paul’s death. I hadn’t seen him for some years, but I have many good memories of his charming, liveliness and warmth.

PM => Ron Samworth Hey – Vicki – a very brief message. Just wanted to reach out and send love. So sorry for the loss of our beloved Paul. That’s all – the rest is all blah blah blah. Thank you for being such a devoted partner and friend to him. xox

PM => Ian Migicovsky I just heard about Paul. Victoria my heart goes out for you. I know that you & Paul had a special relationship. Please let me know when there will be a memorial/celebration of life for Paul.

PM => Moshe Denburg Dear Vicki, My heartfelt condolences to you, and to all who loved Paul. May his memory be a blessing for all of us. Hugs, Moshe

Email => Carol Sawyer Thanks for sharing this Victoria. I am truly sorry for your loss – Paul was a real light, a unique talent and an open hearted musician and person. It was lovely to listen to these videos and be able to enjoy again his unique playing style and presence.

 Email => Johanna Hauser So sorry for your loss, Victoria, and the music world’s loss, too. may Paul rest in peace and may you receive solace during this time.