Merrick Jarrett was well known to many of us folk music lovers in North America. I pass along to you the posting that went out to Maplepost yesterday, from Jack Cole, who is a close friend of the Jarrett family....
Hello everyone,
It is with a very heavy heart that I am writing to tell you that we have lost Merrick Jarrett, at 81, following a serious fall a week ago. Most of you will not know the name, but Merrick has many connections to this community.
Merrick was a fixture in the Toronto folk music scene of the 50s and 60s, playing clubs and hosting radio programs. He was a perfomer at the first Mariposa Folk Festival, and at several festivals since, until "retirng" a few years ago. For 17 years he taught two folk music courses at the University of Waterloo, introducing hundreds of students to traditional and contemporary folk. His early recordings of children's and cowboy songs are still popping up from time to time on compilations.
Merrick helped get our Old Chestnuts Song Circle (in Kitchener) off the ground and was a regular contributor of old (and mostly forgotten) chestnuts. But much more than that, he was a great friend and mentor, and a great believer and supporter of all people and their music. His loss will be felt deeply here; it seems like the end of an era.
There will be a gathering in Waterloo on Friday afternoon to remember Merrick. As yet I am not sure of the format or space available, but if you would like to know more please email jhcole@mgl.ca .