It is always sad to have to report the death of anyone, but when you have to report that of a dear friend, it makes it all the more difficult. It is with a very heavy heart that I must relay the news of the passing of our composer-member Bunny Beck. When things open up a bit more, her sister told me she would like to do a memorial concert of Bunny’s music.

Bunny was an accomplished jazz pianist, composer, and recording artist, and she was a very dear friend to me. We met in November 2015 in Havana, Cuba where we both were there to record music for an upcoming album for PARMA Recordings. She and I instantly became best friends. Even then at nearly 80 years old, she was curious about how she could further her career and get more training as a composer. I had just finished an MFA degree in 2013 at Vermont College of Fine Arts, and she was became interested in the program. We spent hours talking about it, both there in Havana, and several times back in New York and New Jersey. She even came out to my house for a BBQ and met my family and friends there. Long story short, she became my legacy at VCFA, graduating in 2018. I also introduced her to NYCC in 2018 where she was welcomed with open arms.

Sadly,

Timothy L. Miller