I just learned of Jack's death today, March 11, 2001. I had the pleasure of accompanying him on the accordion on his great song "If I Ever Pass This Way Again" when he performed at our Cousin Andy's Coffeehouse in Carbondale IL in 2008. He was very gracious in trusting that I could play it adequately, since we had no time to rehearse it before the concert. But we did trade some conversational lines in Irish as we were setting up for the concert, and I think he would want it to be known here that he not only learned the Irish language but was also active in teaching the language in New York. His compilation CD "The Tinker's Coin" is his "Celtic Anthology" of original songs about his times in Ireland, and is a great album for any newcomer to Jack's music who has an interest in Irish music and culture. He will be missed by many. I was honored to share his company for that one night, as we talked in the green room before the concert and also in a late-night kitchen conversation session. "...mar na beidh ar leitheidi aris ann."