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Frontenac News
Oskar Graf
FYI
Obituaries: Canadian Luthier Oskar Graf, Austin Music Scene Veteran Chris Gage
This week we also acknowledge the passing of Laughing Hyenas/Jesus Lizard drummer Jim Kimball and Sigue Sigue Sputnik drummer Ray Mayhew.
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Oskar Graf, a renowned Canadian luthier and co-founder of the Blue Skies Music Festival, died on August 26 at the age of 81.
A 2014 profile in Frontenac News noted that "a celebrated 40-year career as one of Canada's top-notch luthiers [guitarmakers] was not the career that Oskar Graf originally planned for but he affirms that it is one that he is very grateful for. Trained in his native Germany as a cabinet maker and industrial/furniture designer, Graf, who was born in Berlin, came to Canada in 1968. He worked briefly in his trained field upon his arrival in Toronto before purchasing land not far east of Clarendon Station, where he designed and built the home and workshop that he has lived and worked in ever since.
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"In our interview, Graf recalled, 'I really was not sure what I would do when I first moved out here. I did know that I was not going to start up a big cabinet shop and I knew that I would be making something craft-related.' It was while in Toronto during those first years that Graf became affiliated with the people who started up the Toronto Folklore Centre. He recalled being both 'fascinated and inspired' by a young American man there who was building guitars in a backroom."
"Soon after, Graf began making instruments, first Appalachian dulcimers and other folk instruments at his shop in Clarendon. Eventually he took on guitar making to further challenge himself, and with the understanding that there was a larger market for guitars.
A bio on Graf's website states that "I spent the first years building folk instruments and built my first guitars, a Classical and a 12 String Acoustic, in 1973." Frontenac News reported that "eventually Graf would leave off making other folk instruments and focus his talents exclusively on a line of guitars, primarily classical and acoustic steel-stringed instruments that now sell in the $8,000 to $12,000 range.
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Graf was primarily self-taught, but learnt valuable tips from famed Canadian luthier John Larrivée. Frontenac News stated that "In his 40-year career Graf has made over 400 guitars, each taking upwards of 100 hours to build. Along the way he has garnered an international clientele of famed musicians. Don Ross is one of many who commissioned Graf to build a one-of-a-kind seven-stringed guitar, which Ross has referred to as “one of the seven wonders of the world.”
On Facebook, Canadian roots music guitar virtuoso Don Ross posted this tribute: "All hail the great luthier Oskar Graf, who built me a beautiful 7-string guitar in 1995. It sits beside me everyday in my studio. Oskar left the planet today. Such a lovely man."
In 2003, to celebrate his 30 years in business and to thank the countless musicians who have inspired his work, Graf put out a CD with many notable musicians playing the instruments he crafted exclusively for them.
In a Facebook post, On Facebook, musician Nathan Sloniowski (The Ragged Flowers) quotes Graf expaining his work at a Luthier's Showcase in 2011: "I’m basically self-taught and, like everybody else starting out, read as many books on building and acoustic theory of stringed instruments as I could find. This answered the basic 'how to' questions, but exactly how thin I should plane that top, or how do I get sound I want, still stayed a mystery.
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"Quite early on I took a guitar building course by David Rubio at one of the Toronto Guitar festivals. When asked how he gets his sound, he said something like this - 'You have to keep your sound ideal in your mind (ear) and work towards it.' Now that sounded pretty nebulous to beginning luthiers looking for a definitive answer, but I have come to realize that there was a lot of truth in it.
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"The sound I have in my head, mind, changes over time, it’s influenced by the musical culture of our time. New guitarists and changes in concert repertoire make me listen to the guitar differently and in the end change my sound ideal. I have always relied more on my senses, rather than measurable data, to make decisions in building. I believe that if we trust ourselves, we are capable of making very fine distinctions in sound, texture and shape."
Another major contribution to Canadian music made by Graf was the co-founding of the Blue Skies Music festival in Clarendon, eastern Ontario, in 1973. Sloniowski recalls that "The venerated Blue Skies festival started on Oskar's land as a musical picnic. His friend Greg Forbes said it started like this: 'Musicians? We invited a few of our friends. Oskar turns to me and says ‘You start off’. And so it began. No artistic director, no stage manager, no promo kits, no demo tapes, no order of events, no MC, no set list, no crowd, no nada.'" Blue Skies Music Festival still takes place on the property originally owned by Graf.
Many social media posts testifying to Graf's talent as a guitar maker were posted on Facebook upon news of his passing.
A post on the Blue Skies Fans & Friends FB page included a tribute to Graf by Rob Baker from The Tragically Hip: "I recorded 'Ahead By A Century' on a big Gibson Blues King model but it was a real challenge to keep it in tune as once you tune that low E all the way down to C it gets pretty floppy and can start to sound ugly. It quickly became apparent that I would need an extra jumbo body, longer neck and super heavy strings. I had to call in the big gun for a job like this — enter Oskar Graf — one of the finest luthiers on our planet, who happened to live only about an hour from Kingston. We met and discussed the mission, and boy, did he rise to the challenge! A truly fantastic and unique instrument."
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Louis Trepanier wrote that "The first high level guitar I ever got was an Oskar Graf. This was in 1994. I still have it, still use it all the time. Oskar was a wonderful luthier and a lovely, kind person. Rest in Peace, Oskar, thanks so much."
Perth-based musician Bill Cameron, on Facebook: "The sad news of Oskar Graf’s passing brings more than a few anecdotes to mind. Oskar was a builder of world-class guitars, literally a pro musician’s dream luthier. His instruments were not fancy looking, because his art and interest was in choosing all the exactly ideal woods to sew together, and trimming and shaving them to create the best tones they were capable of. Those who played them understood their value.
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"I was never in the market for a seven or ten-thousand dollar instrument, but I’ll tell you something else about Oskar. If you were a cash-strapped musician in Lanark or Frontenac County with a guitar emergency, he was your best friend. He did repair work for us for practically nothing, as a community service and out of friendship."
"Once I asked him how much cash to bring along with my latest problem, and you could hear the twinkle over the phone as he responded vell you know, ve Germans like our beer!' A six of Creemore changed hands that day, a not-unheard-of transaction among musicians."
"There was the time he lent his whole property to a bunch of hippies to have some kind of backwoods hootenanny, an arrangement that went on for thirty years or so until he finally sold them the land—at a very reasonable rate, because, community, music and friendship. Y’know?I miss him already."
Folkway Music in Waterloo posted this tribute on Facebook: "Our souls are saddened to learn of Oskar Graf’s passing. Oskar was a longtime friend, a Lutherie mentor, a craftsman without rival, and a wonderful human. Oskar pretended to retire a number of years ago but never actually stopped - he still had wood left - he would say when he’d visit to show us his latest instrument.
"His final guitar was a small archtop that was roughly shaped like an old Gibson. Perhaps the spruce and maple he used for that instrument were his last sets. We’d like to think it that way, regardless.
"[Noted singer-songwriter-guitarist] Jason Fowler has tried to find a different guitar to play for years, but always comes back to one of his Grafs, each of which we’re intimately familiar with here. They are incredible guitars, with clean and clear fundamental, amazing string balance, endless headroom, and a beguiling subtlety when played softly. They say that the personality of the luthier can be heard in their guitars, and Oskar Graf’s guitars do certainly suggests that this is true. The world has lost one of its most gifted luthiers."
In March 2023, Jason Fowler performed a solo guitar concert at Graf's home in Westport, ON, to celebrate Graf's 50th Anniversary of Lutherie. On his website, Fowler noted that "Oskar has made me half a dozen guitars in my career, plus I've acquired 3 others second hand. I love them all."
A private family service for Graf has been held, and an open gathering to celebrate Oskar's life will be announced at a later date.
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Chris Gage, a veteran Austin-based multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter and recording artist, died on Aug. 24. His age has not been reported.
In its obituary/tribute, the Texas Music Office wrote that "Chris Gage was an extraordinary presence in Austin’s music scene—a consummate multi‑instrumentalist whose talents spanned guitar (acoustic, electric, slide, baritone, lap steel), mandolin, Dobro, piano, Hammond B‑3 organ, accordion, and vocals.
"His storied career included stints with the Red Willow Band, alongside Roy Clark on Hee Haw and The Tonight Show, and as musical director and sideman for Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Jerry Jeff Walker. Equally at home behind the scenes, he was an in-demand producer and engineer, co-running MoonHouse Studio with Christine Albert and collaborating on countless recordings for Austin legends like Marcia Ball, Eliza Gilkyson and Ray Benson.
"For nearly three decades, Chris was the soulful heartbeat of Monday nights at Donn’s Depot, where his piano bench was a welcoming stage for spontaneity, guest musicians and community connection. His versatility and warmth were unmatched—he was described in the Austin American‑Statesman as 'a studio ace who defied categorization, and who possessed an emotional intensity and generosity that made every performance feel alive.'"
"Beyond performance, his legacy lives on through Albert & Gage, the folk/Americana duo formed with his wife Christine Albert. Together they released six albums, ran MoonHouse Records, and carried their heartfelt music across the world."
From 2016 to this year, Gage was a member of Austin City Limits' Hall of Fame All-stars, contributing Piano, B3, accordion and vocals.
As a lead guitarist and backing vocalist, Gage was a member of the Jerry Jeff Walker Band from 2008-2020, and he accompanied noted Austin singer-songwriter Jimmie Dale Gilmore extensively in the '90s.
As a lead vocalist and guitarist, Gage played with the All Night Good Time Band and Red Willow Band in the '70s. From 1983-91, he accompanied country star Roy Clark on Hee Haw.
Gage and Christine Albert owned MoonHouse Studio in south Austin, where Gage worked as an in-demand producer and studio musician, including co-producing Jerry Jeff Walker’s latest release “It’s About Time”.
Gage is a 2 time member of the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and an inductee into the SD Friends of Traditional Music Hall of Fame. He was named the Academy of Texas Music’s “Musician of the Year" in 2011.
He appeared on Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show (both Carson and Leno), The Grand Ole Opry, Nashville Now, Texas Connection, Austin City Limits and over 100 appearances on Hee Haw. Iconic venues he played include The Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, Mountain Stage and The Fillmore West.
In a 2010 profile of Gage, the Austin American Statesman stated that "Nobody puts Chris Gage in a box. Acoustic, electric, baritone, slide and lap steel guitar, mandolin, organ, piano and vocals — the studio ace has mastered them all. He's been a sideman to Jerry Jeff Walker, Roy Clark and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. He's gigged in the Soviet Union and the Royal Albert Hall. He's played on the television programs of three "Tonight Show" hosts — Johnny Carson, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien.
"And once a week, for roughly the past 15 years, he's sat down at a piano in the neighborhood joint Donn's Depot to play a mix of covers and originals, with special guests."
On Facebook, Austin City Limits posted this tribute to Gage: "We join the Austin music community in mourning the loss of our dear friend and gifted multi-instrumentalist, Chris Gage .Chris was a cornerstone of the ACL ALL STARS, our extraordinary Hall of Fame house band that supported dozens of legendary performances over the past decade. His masterful touch on piano and keyboards brought depth, soul, and joy to music across every genre — a reflection not only of his immense talent but also of his generous spirit and deep love for the craft.
"ACL ALL STARS Musical Director Lloyd Maines shared, 'Chris Gage was a one-of-a-kind musician and a great human being. I'm thankful for the opportunity to play music with him for so many years. I miss him, and everyone who knew him will miss him.' The Austin skyline shines a little less brightly without this ALL STAR, but Chris' music and memory will live on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him. We send our love to Christine and to all of Chris’s family, friends, and fans during this sad time."
Also on Facebook, Canadian harmonica virtuoso Mike Stevens offered this tribute: "I just heard about the passing of a friend and amazing musician and human, Chris Gage. I played on some recordings for Chris and his partner Christine. They have spread so much joy. Chris dragged me on stage to be part of the band with Jerry Jeff Walker. He knew what that meant to me. Anyhow, Chris I still feel the Joy and the Music. Always will."
Jim Kimball, the former drummer for such noted U.S. post-punk and noise-rock bands as Laughing Hyenas, Mule and Jesus Lizard, died on Aug. 27 at the age of 59. A cause of death has not been reported.
After making a mark in Laughing Hyenas, Kimball and Kevin Munro left that band to form Mule with Wig's P.W. Long in the early 1990s.
Other bands Kimball played in included Firewater and the The Denison/Kimball Trio (alongside Jesus Lizard bandmate Duane Denison).
An obituary on the blog Pencil Storm penned by John Burke noted that Kimball was "a drummer best known for his work during the ‘80s/‘90s alternative rock period - especially in and around the Ann Arbor/Detroit area. Kimball brought his forceful, yet tasteful, drumming style to many bands throughout his career, including Surreal Estate, Mule, Jesus Lizard, The Denison/Kimball Trio, Firewater, and most recently, the Chicago-based band Ghost Forest.
"He is probably best known as the drummer in the classic lineup of the legendary Ann Arbor-based post-punk band Laughing Hyenas. The first three records released on the venerated Chicago independent label Touch and Go and recorded by that lineup — which also featured the late Larissa Strickland (guitar), Kevin Strickland (bass), and John Brannon (vocals) — are mandatory listening for anyone interested in the post-punk, indie rock of that era or rock music born out of Ann Arbor/Detroit."
"As a drummer myself, watching Jim play night after night on that tour was a master class in how to play with brute intensity, yet still maintain feel, finesse, and precision. His style was a unique combination of The Stooges’ Scott Asheton’s caveman stomp and jazz swing. Jim showed me that it doesn’t matter where you’re playing, how you might be feeling that night or how many people are in the audience, you always go out there to slay 100%. As a musician and performer, it’s an attitude I still carry with me to this day."
Ray Mayhew, drummer of hit '80s English new wave band Sigue Sigue Sputnik, died on Aug. 28 at age 60. A cause of death has not been reported.
The news of his passing was shared by bandmate Martin Degville in a Facebook tribute.
Sigue Sigue Sputnik were formed in 1982 by former Generation X bassist Tony James and went on to have three UK top-40 hit singles, including "Love Missile F1-11" and "21st Century Boy." In its obituary, The Daily Mail reported that "their music, image and inspiration drew from a range of electronic and glam bands such as Suicide and the New York Dolls."
After creating a media buzz in the U.K., Sigue Sigue Sputnik were signed by EMI in 1984, with the band themselves claiming in the press that they had signed for £4 million, though in fact revealed to be £350,000. The band's first single, the Giorgio Moroder-produced "Love Missile F1-11", was released in February 1986, and reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart, number 2 in South Africa and was a major hit in several countries in Europe and Asia. Its popularity was boosted by its inclusion in the John Hughes film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Their second single, "21st Century Boy" reached number 20 in the UK. Their debut studio album, Flaunt It, also produced by Moroder, made the top ten in the UK, and reached 96 in the US.
It was two years before the band followed this up, and subsequent releases fared less well. The Stock Aitken Waterman produced "Success" peaked at number 31 in late 1988, and later singles flopped. Second album Dress for Excess peaked at number 53 in the UK.
The band split up in July 1989, with James joining The Sisters of Mercy later that year. Ray Mayhew formed his own band, Mayhem Deranged.
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