Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: GUEST,Guest.Adam Pool
Date: 26 Feb 13 - 10:57 AM

When I knew Nat in elementary school (before 6th grade) he was quite talkative and very interested in science, so people do change and mature with time. He was very active with his fellow classmates. He certainly always loved the water.

Subject: RE: Nat Hewitt, my former brother-in-law
From: GUEST,kacey constable
Date: 14 Feb 13 - 06:50 PM

Nat, my former brother-in-law, was beyond taciturn. Once he and Liza came to visit his mother-in-law, my mother, in Nantucket. Liza arrived first, leaving Nat at a fiddle competition on Martha's Vineyard. A couple of days later he showed up. I eventually asked him how the competition went. He said, "fine." I then asked him how he did and he answered, "pretty well." A smile on his face. Again, nothing more. I said, clearly fishing, "I suppose you're going to tell me that you won the competition". "Yes," came the answer. "Oh my God", I said, "that's terrific! Hey, I heard President Clinton was on the Vineyard at the same time. Was he at the fiddle fest?" "Yes." "Next," I said, "you're going to tell me that he awarded you first prize." "He did."

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: GUEST,Nick Friedman, Asheville, North Carolina
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 07:47 PM

I first met Nat as a young potter doing craft shows up in New England in the late 1990's. He would work the circuit as a musican hired to give the shows a bit of musical ambiance. During slow moments I would always go hang with Nat and his wife--the craich was always happening around those two. A few years later, I had relocated to Gainesville,Florida and who ends up as a house guest to our neighbor but Nat and Larry (Unger) who were brought in for a big contra dance and house concert. Such incredible irony!   What an amazing fiddle player Nat was. I had the fortune a bunch of years ago to accompany Larry and Nat after a Contra Dance in Asheville to a late night open jam at Jack of the Wood. It didn't take but a few tunes for the rest of the musicians there to get hooked on Nat's tone and instinctively let him call the tunes for the rest of the night. So saddened to hear of his passing. RIP, Nat.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Dec 12 - 02:15 PM

Heartsick to hear this sad sad news. I learned many a fiddle tune from Nat, and shared happy moments from Pennsylvania to Florida to Massachusetts with him. It's been a few years since we've gotten to play together, but I had no idea it would never happen again. Here's to memories of a sweet New Year's waltz on the lake.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: GUEST,Presto
Date: 30 Nov 12 - 11:41 PM

So sorry to hear of Nat's death. Though I only played music with him once or twice, I'll never forget the experience.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: GUEST,GUESTRick V.
Date: 30 Nov 12 - 08:27 PM

I'm just a dancer. I never talked to Nat, but I danced to his music a time or two. The dance, and his music gave me joy. What greater gift can anyone give?

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: GUEST,Eric Miller
Date: 26 Nov 12 - 11:11 AM

Beyond sad... Nat taught me banjo in about 6th grade circa 1969. We since played in Bluegrass bands, Blues clubs, Irish gigs, contra dances even some Rock shows. He was also an amazing instrument maker and auto mechanic - I remember form a phone booth half way across Canada Nat walked me through how to fix my car - He would have been proud to hear that I've converted my car to run on waste vegetable oil.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: GUEST,Peter Thomson
Date: 24 Nov 12 - 06:28 PM

Nat and I were friends in high school and he introduced me to contra dancing and old time music. I didn't stick with it but have extremely fond memories of Nat and the dancing, music-playing, woods-walking, and--yes, pot-smoking--we and his broader group of friends did together. I hadn't seen him since but always wondered where he ended up. Clearly he ended up doing what he loved, and still well-loved. The world is clearly poorer for his loss. My condolences to his friends & family.

Peter Thomson, ex of Lincoln, Mass.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 24 Nov 12 - 06:20 PM

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: GUEST,Doug singleton
Date: 24 Nov 12 - 10:22 AM

I have enjoyed many wonderful dance weekends dancing to Nat but will especially remember the week long camping at Pinewoods and taking his music and dance band classes. What a sweet soul... Very sad day

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: GUEST,Gary in Alaska
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 09:08 PM

I'm very glad to have had the pleasure of spending time with Nat this year at the Lady of the Lake June Camp. His medical challenge didn't keep him from playing wonderful music for us all. He will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: maeve
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 03:50 PM

I remember Nat with respect and affection. He was a fiddler of style and a person of grace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: GUEST,Terese
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 03:35 PM

What a HUGE LOSS...condolences to his children, family, fellow musicians, friends, and the larger dance community...he will be sorely missed...

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 02:28 PM

Thanks, Becky. Our community is reeling.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 01:37 PM

So sorry to hear it, Allison.

Here's a non-mobile format link to the YouTube video: Simontons Corner Contra Dance.

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: Obit: Nat Hewitt, New England fiddler
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 01:18 PM

We've lost another great one. Nat Hewitt, fiddler extraordinaire, died this morning from complications from cancer. He has left one 25 year old son and two teenage daughters, and a community who will miss his amazing fluidity and ease with the music that lifed our spirits and made our feet fly.
You can catch a glimpse of him here..