Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley

Subject: HARRY GUREVITCH
From: Wildboy
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 12:38 PM

Sad news, Harry passed away on 8th March. I'm sure many folks in Hull and Beverley will have fond memories of him from sessions. He was one of a kind.
GUREVITCH.- Harry. 8th March 2008 peacefully at Dove House. Service at the Chanterlands Crematorium, Hull 1.30pm Thursday 13th March (large chapel). No flowers please but, if desired, donations for Dove House, plate at the service.

Subject: RE: HARRY GUREVITCH
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 12:57 PM

Sad news indeed. a great blues singer/guitarist.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 04:47 PM

I'm sorry to hear the sad news.

Harry performing

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beve
From: GUEST,Captain Swing
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 06:49 PM

Harry was a stalwart at Cottingham folk club 1985-1994. He was a great character and a distinctive performer. He helped to make the organiser's job so much easier by being there ( on time) and performing consistently well.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: ossonflags
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 07:22 PM

A great bloke and musician.So sorry to hear this sad news.

Mick and Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 07:50 PM

More sad news. One of my fave bluesmen. Another great guy done gone. RIP Harry.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beve
From: GUEST,the button
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 09:16 PM

RIP Harry. Never knew his full name until I clocked the picture on this thread. But a friendly & encouraging face from when I was starting out performing myself.

One more man gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beve
From: GUEST,jOhn
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 06:04 AM

Very sorry to hear this.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: Pistachio
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 09:34 AM

A unique man who made a unique sound. I'm sorry - I can't join you today.
Hazel.x

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: Les from Hull
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 01:50 PM

Harry will be sorely missed.

Les and Maggie

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: Willa
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 02:51 PM

Certainly a one-off. saw him several times recently- the last time, i think, was at Cottingham. He loved his music and passed that enthusiasm on.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 04:17 PM

Harry had begun to come back to Cottingham Live on several occasions recently. He had plainly been ill, but he still played those blues like a dream. A man of true conviction as well, he will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: GUEST,Jake J M Glanville (Black Jake)
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 10:20 AM

Those of us who loved the Blues of the Mississippi delta will be deeply saddened by the passing of this impressive bluesman from Hull. With the exception of Jo-Anne Kelly, I know of no other white performer of the rural (or Country) blues who could grab my attention like this man, whose mastery and grasp of the idiom was a joy to behold.

His slide-guitar playing was often hautingly beautiful, and his singing always sounded as if he had been born to portray the moan of the oppressed in a way that always sounded absolutely authentic.

We shall miss you Harry, and so will the world of Blues music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: Graham and Jo
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 07:40 AM

Great bloke, great musician, we will miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: GUEST,pip and merry
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 11:24 AM

What sad news.He was an artist and a gentleman and will be missed.Sure he'll still be playing somewhere.Our thoughts to those closest to Him.Pip and Merry...

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: The DeanMeister
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 05:46 AM

Sad news indeed. Harry was a great encouragement to me when I first started playing outdoors. Met him at the White Horse Folk Club, where he was a regular at the time. He used to run an open mic night at the Adelphi on a sunday night many years ago. I went several times and was duly terrified, but his support helped me overcome stage fright.

He'll be sadly missed. Rest in peace, Harry.

Pete.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 23 May 08 - 12:11 PM

A little late but this was in The Guardian yesterday:

Harry Gurevitch

Howard Horsley and Robin Bunton
Thursday May 22, 2008

Guardian

Harry Gurevitch, who has died aged 67, was a gifted blues guitarist and the first head of mathematics at Wyke sixth form college in Hull (1987-91), respected nationally as an innovator in maths education. Supportive of egalitarian causes and comprehensive principles in education, he also brought his energy, intellect and experience to Hull trades council and, as a founder member, to his local Stop the War group. He once also featured on a Channel 4 programme, challenging the sensational media coverage of science.
Harry was born into the small Jewish community of west Hull and spent almost all his life in the city. His father was a shoemaker. After the death of his gentile mother, as an infant, he grew up in a Jewish household, but as a teenager - and a non-Jew - he found himself in a confusing world, excluded from key aspects of community life.

Educated at Kingston high school, he graduated in mathematics from Hull University in 1962, and went, full of enthusiasm, to teach in newly independent Kenya (1963-64). He then worked on a kibbutz in Israel, an experience that confirmed his anti-Zionism. Back in Hull, he taught at the David Lister high school (1965-71) and at the Sir Leo Schultz high school (1971-87).

From 1974 to 1988, Harry was a key member of the editorial team of the Schools Mathematics Project, an educational charity that develops textbooks and other teaching materials for the secondary age range. He focused on individualised learning, enabling children to learn through direct experience and progress at their own pace.

For Harry, who found enormous solace in playing the guitar, the blues became his means of self-expression - his dedication to mastering the solo acoustic blues guitar, and the beauty of his slide technique, were legendary. He played to appreciative audiences in clubs across the country, and in venues as far away as Italy and Israel. He contributed to specialist magazines about the history of the blues, and recorded several CDs. These included traditional delta blues as well as his own work, which focused, with his characteristic sense of irony, on politics and the absurdities of human behaviour.

Harry was devoted to his four children and took great pride in their achievements. He supported them through their education to maturity, particularly after his marriage to their mother, Ingrid, ended in the 1980s. He is survived by his children and his second wife, Marcelle.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beve
From: GUEST,Mike Thompson
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 09:00 AM

I'm ashamed to say that only today did I read about Harry Gurevitch's death.

Rest in peace, Harry



(a former pupil)

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: GUEST,a former pupil at Sir Leo Shultz
Date: 01 Feb 09 - 04:11 PM

I too have only just found out the Harry had died. He was a fantastic teacher and a wonderfull man.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: GUEST,Brian Fendley
Date: 13 Feb 09 - 09:34 AM

I have only just found out about Harry's death. It's a great shock and a sad blow. My utmost sympathy to all his family and his many friends. I knew Harry at university, indeed we all used to meet in the old Albion Street Library, and vigorously discuss a range of topics from Jazz and Blues to Einstein's special theory of relativity in those far off days. I have many fascinating memories of him. I remember him buying his first guitar and learning blues licks from records. I used to lend him my Libarary of Congress blues records and he would duly come back and play beautiful phrases from a Blind Blake or other opus. I remember hitch hiking to Blackpool with him, trying to sell some new fangled postcards with felt flocking on. I became more interested in jazz, playing trumpet while Harry focussed on solo guitar Blues. I remember playing badminton with him many times and he bacame a very accomplished badminton player. So many memories! I lost touch with him some time ago unfortunately, and I can only regret that I have just discovered the very sad occasion of his death.
                      Brian Fendley

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: GUEST,Menachem Vinegrad
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 11:43 AM

Going through my old files I decided to look up Harry Gurevitch on the internet. I was dismayed to discover that he has passed away.
Harry was our guest in Israel in 1995. He was a charming man,an easy going and adaptable guest in many homes here, including ours. Above all he was a wonderful and unique musician.He played at several clubs and house concerts here.
If he was "anti-Zionist" as the Guardian obituary states, he showed no evidence of it when he was here. He was open minded and interested in everything. He even wanted his daughter to visit and spend some time on a kibbutz. I don't know whether she ever did.
I myself am from Hull( many years back) and we had some interesting talks and reminiscences.
He made a lasting impression here, through his gentleness, humility and superb musicianship. We are very sorry to hear of his passing.
May his soul rest in peace.
Menachem

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: GUEST,paul ex pupil schultz
Date: 19 Jun 10 - 03:18 PM

only just found out the sad news of harrys passing he was an excellent teacher never losing his temper with anyone and having tome to teach not just say get on with it will always picture him with his john lennon style glasses.

top bloke
rest in peace

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: GUEST,Richard Spurr - Schultz Maths pupil
Date: 09 May 11 - 07:18 PM

Just found this thread - Harry brought his old gramaphone into assembly and played 78's of Lead Belly etc - not everyones cup of tea - but you could not help getting drawn in by his enthusiasm..
A level maths we often 'sidetracked' him into talking about Einstine / relativity and other 'off topic' things.
Fairly reasonable picture of him by me on Friends Reunited with Tim Keach.
Not the sort of bloke you forget ..

Subject: RE: Obit: Harry Gurevitch (8 March 2008) Hull/Beverley
From: GUEST
Date: 09 May 11 - 07:47 PM

One of Harry's last gigs was at the bluebell inn as part of the cottingham springboard festival in August 2007. Though visibly ill, he did a great set. Apparently the springboard festival organisers have since 2008, named the bluebell as the Harry Gurevitch stage in his memory.