Very sad news indeed. I first saw Jackie circa 1960 in the basement of The Black Swan on Houston Street in Hamilton, Ontario. I had learned all three chords on the guitar and was on my way to being a folk singer. Jackie played a song that I had learned to play with 2 chords. He played two chords per bar. I ran down to Waddington's Music store the next day and bought Mickey Baker's Jazz Guitar book and started trying to play like Jackie Washington. He has been my guitar hero for 49 years. A few years ago I got to spend some time with Jack. I drove from Hamilton to Cobourg and back with Jack riding shotgun. I'll always treasure that conversation. He asked me my birthday. My brother met him months later at a party in Hamilton and he not only remembered me, but he remembered my birthday. I've been told that he never forgets a birthday.
The last time I saw Jackie was at Hugh's room on the night of his 88th birthday celebration. It was also the last time I saw Willie P. Bennett. I'll sure miss them both.