I cannot remember a time when Jonathan was not a part of my life, both musically and personally. He was not, as others have said, the eaasiest person to know, but he was talented, fun, passionate about old songs, and kind. He was forever speaking of "finding songs in old trunks" - so much so that I thought immediately of Jonathan a few years ago when driving by the sign for Old Trunk, Nova Scotia, in Cape Breton. If I'd had more time, I would have collected a song there and brought it back to JE.

His Folk legacy album is still just about the best folk album I've ever heard, and I've sung at least half of the songs on it at one time or another. Like others, I particularly love "Laurel" and "The Winnie the Pooh Rag." At a Unitarian Universalist service focusing on Science Fiction this past summer, I sang "Lament for a Red Planet" and "Solar Privateer." (The latter will be on the new Boarding Party album). Jonathan had as much influence on me as a musician as any other artist, and though it had been too long since I'd had the chance to see or sing with him, he was a mentor and and an inspiration.

His last years were not easy, and I am grateful that he is no longer suffering. The rest of us weep to lose a friend. We can take some comfort from singing his songs (and I do, I do!) and the songs that he collected over the years.

We'll miss you, Jonathan....

Warmly,
Dan Schatz