Jim Couza

Subject: Jim Couza
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 01:40 AM

Thought youwould like to know Jim Couza is in a Bristol Hospital waiting for a quadruple heart bypass.The hospital address is on uk.music.folk.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 05:32 AM

Sorry to hear that. Amazing player of the hammered dulcimer.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 07:17 AM

The ward is as follows-BRISTOL ROYAL INFIRMARY,WARD 5C,LEVEL5,BRISTOL.BS2 8HW.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: s&r
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 03:43 PM

Jim stayed with us some years ago. Fine gentleman and a pleasure to have as a guest. Jim's version of the Last of the great Whales is to us one of the finest performances of the song, and still sends shivers down the spine.

Good Luck Jim


Stu/Rusty

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 04:11 PM

I love Jim's song about the Mexican fighting cock - Something yellow? Cracked me up once when someone piped up 'Give us the Mexian chicken song, Jim!'

Hope he gets well soon. Far to long away from Swinton for my liking.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 07:17 PM

Fine player. A lot of years since I was last in a music session with him.
Hope everything goes well.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: musicmick
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 01:47 AM

I haven't seen Jim for quite a while but we were good friends in New England and Philadelphia. I contacted him when Dan Ruvin told me about Jim's health problems. I wish him well, as I'm sure we all do.
We were fellow members of the FFA but, as there has been no annual meetings of that fine organization since that unfortunate incident in the swimming pool, that membership may be just the stuff of nostalgia.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: mouldy
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 02:14 AM

The first time I came across him was at Stainsby festival 18 years ago. This very large bloke in a baseball cap sat down to play his dulcimer - and magic happened.

I really hope everything goes well for him.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: RWJ
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 06:58 AM

Someone from BHam Trad was asking about him the other day . I will pass it on Hope all goes well for him , nice bloke fantastic musition.

         RWJ

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 07:49 AM

Haven't seen Jim since those far off days in Llantrisant HE was brilliant even then. Chin Up Jim and get well soon

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: s&r
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 06:05 AM

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 07:23 AM

Very sorry to hear of Jim's difficulties, I hope he makes a good recovery, always an enthusiastic performer
Ray P

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: pavane
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 08:17 AM

Haven't seen him since those further-off days, when I saw him in Luxembourg, of all places. Unfortunatly, when we tried to do 3 Sea Captains together (after the show) we found that the dulcimer was not in tune to my melodeon (Just as well, probably!).

My wishes also for his recovery.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: fretless
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:49 PM

Last time I saw Jim was about a million years ago (well, 1977 or 1978) when I booked him to playat The Good Coffeehouse in Brooklyn. Great performance. Great guy. Wish him well.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: s&r
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 05:49 PM

Tried to send him an email c/o the hospital but no joy. Shall send card by snail mail

Stu

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From:
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 07:44 AM

Ay, Scoobie... if you could email me off-list with Jim's snail address, I'd appreciate it.

Jim ia one of the best at acapella songs as well as a master-whiz on just about any instrument he (can) pick up or whale upon, and while in the US was a active re-enactor in the Boston area... one of my favourite images is of him in his Continental GBlues, authentic Brown Bess Musket at his side, standing at attention for a photo.... if Howe had seen that huge laddie he'd never have hazarded the charge on Breed's Hill! It were intimidating!

www.sosyourmom.com/Oneils1.html

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 08:30 AM

I willl try and find it out for you Vince.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 11:21 AM

I got this message from a non-catter, which may add a bit of info:

"I just had the following from Jim Fox who works with Jim Couza occasionally. -
Don't know if you have heard or not but Jim Couza is in hospital and it is
looking a bit worrying. He was due for an operation last week for a
quadruple bypass but the night before the surgeon said he wasn't prepared to
risk putting him through it and would look for an alternative. Then at the
weekend Jim and Karen were told that they could either do nothing in which
case they would be looking at maybe two months or they could take the risk
and go for the op.
Not much of a choice, so they have decided to go for the operation and hope
that it works out.
If you could let anyone know who might be interested.

Cas"

regards

Splott man

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 04:21 AM

Good luck Jim.
eric

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: GUEST,Jim Fox
Date: 17 Apr 04 - 11:13 AM

Good News!
I've just been speaking to Jim Couza for about half an hour. The operation was a success and he is now back at home with Karen. Very tired and very sore but greatly appreciating life. He is being very positive and already looking forward to getting back to work. He is going to be unable to lift his dulcimer for 6 weeks or so but he is hoping to be ready to perform with me at the Big Cheese Festival in Caerphilly in late July.

I can't tell you how good it was to hear his voice.

Jim Fox

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 18 Apr 04 - 02:22 AM

Good news,send him love from LLantrisant folk club.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 18 Apr 04 - 03:45 AM

Great news! glad the op appears to have been successful. Hope we'll see him again soon!

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: croc
Date: 18 Apr 04 - 12:04 PM

Good luck Jim. Get well and hope to hear you again soon.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Apr 04 - 08:47 PM

Phew! I don't think we could cope with another great loss so soon after so many in recent months.

Glad to hear the news.

LTS

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 05:47 AM

Glad the op worked. Wish Jim all the best from Yorkshire.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: s&r
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 12:35 PM

How's Jim now?

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: s&r
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 08:03 PM

How's Jim now

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 08:18 PM

S&r, read uk.music.folk as well. One report over there is:

Saw him playing at Wakehurst Place Craft Fair, Ardingly,
West Sussex last weekend.

Seemed glad to still be on this planet.

Playing quite well. I personally thought his technique was not up to
his previous standard - unsurprising only 5 months after major heart
surgery.

Good at least to hear he is out and about.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 08:30 PM

Missed this Thread back in April, so pleased to read it through & find big Jim is back working....great performer.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: lucky_p
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 09:04 PM

I was shocked to learn that Jim Couza was sick. I remember hearing him play the hammered dulcimer 25 years ago at the Good Coffeehouse in Brooklyn, and he was unforgettable. I remember his art to this day -- just exquisite.

I don't pray, but I do wish him well from the bottom of my heart.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: s&r
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 09:15 PM

Thanks Jim - the thread died and left me hanging in mid air

Stu

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Ian
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 04:22 AM

Sorry to refresh this with the news that Jim is seriously ill at present.
He has set up an address for contact but I have yet to be advised.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: GUEST,Scooby
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 04:28 AM

Sorry to hear that Ian.Send him our regards from Llantrisant Folk Club.
Scooby.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 05:25 AM

Ian Tell Jim all at Swinton Folk Club wish him well and a speedy recovery.

Spo the Dog

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: GUEST,John of Elsie`s Band
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 06:56 AM

Jim,
    All our best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.
                                                
                                                Elsie`s Band

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: GUEST,Robin Madge
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 08:09 AM

We need Jim to get well soon so that we can revive a tradition. He unwittingly had an essential part to play when "Barrat's privateers" was sung at the old Cheddar folk club. On two separate occasions he entered the room just at the line "when a great fat Yankee hove in view".

Best wishes

Robin Madge

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 08:34 AM

Blimey, Robin, you've reminded me that the only time I saw Jim was at Cheddar playing with a youthful Kathryn Tickell in 1986/7. Hope he makes a good recovery.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 07:54 AM

I last saw Jim playing at Llantrisant Folk Club in the spring, and Chris Moreton and John Campbell turned out to jam with him. His wife, Karen, drove him from Bristol, too. The liar Blair's National Health Service had infected Jim with MRSA, and he was in a wheelchair, too - Jim hadn't a gig for so many months, and it was really good to see and hear him playing hammered dulcimer. Before the gig, Jim and Karen called at my flat, and I invited them for a meal - John Prior of Arts Council Wales, his wife and my partner Olly came too. I do hope Jim's OK for his and for Karen's sake.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: billybob
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 09:16 AM

So sorry to hear that Jim is ill.We enjoyed his company ad wonderful music so many times at Kittys Folk Club in Thorpe le Soken and at the festival in Walton on the Naze.
we wish you well Jim
with love and best wishes wendy and bill

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: GUEST,Dave Swinton
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 04:09 PM

Keep it up, Jim - we're all thinking of you.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Ian
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 04:00 AM

Jim's e-mail address is [e-mail].
I am told he would appreciate calls, visits and e-mails.

As you will note from the address he has not lost his sense of fun.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Gervase
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 04:15 AM

Pass on my very best wishes. Like Skipjack, it's been a long time since I saw him knocking the most marvellous stuff out of that barn door of his - in fact it was 1983 at the Waveney Folk Club near Lowestoft - but I still remember him as a terrific musician and a lovely warm character; a big man with a big heart.

Subject: RE: Jim Couza
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 08:43 AM

As I said when introducing him some years ago at Hazlitt Folk (Maidstone) when it was at the Style and Winch (previously the Union Flag), we had had some great guests, but never anyone so unanimously and universally recognised as THE maestro on his instrument.

He looked at the names on the posters round the room, and seemed quite abashed.