Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia

Subject: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 12:39 AM

Just heard today from brisbane fiddler Danny Holmes that Jacko was buried yesterday. I was hoping the funeral might be this weekend so i could go down to it.

Hundreds of us who knew this great musician, but only a fraction of us were able to attend the funeral. I myself would have greatly appreciated hearing the tributes and eulogies, and just being there to remember him and his legacy. I wonder if we could partake in a virtual wake by hearing from those who were at the event, and maybe also from others who may have thoughts and stories about Jacko.

I write this hoping it will not be disrespectful to Jacko's family, and not inappropriate.

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: open mike
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 01:04 AM

Would this be the fellow who went by "Jocko", from "down under"?
He went by Scalliwag on paltalk. I hope not. I think he might be
from New Zealand...

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: Stewie
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 03:14 AM

I was saddened to hear this news yesterday from richjoy. A fine musician and good bloke. Vale, Jacko. Thanks for the music.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 03:53 AM

G'day open mike,

That wouldn't be Jack Kevans (he preferred the more formal version in later years) - more likely some EnZed descendant of those dour Scots that the Presbyterian Settlement Societies sent to New Zealand ... while sending all those wine-growing German Protestant religious/economic refugees to South Australia!

That apart, sad to hear of Jack's passing ... I've known since Christmas that he was on the losing end of a battle with cancer - a good singer / player / songwriter / teacher - and he leaves a big hole.

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: GUEST,SqueezeMe
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 07:33 AM

Sad news indeed.

A great musician, singer and friend. RIP.

Thanks for the music and the good times, Jack.

MC

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Kevans, Australia
From: freda underhill
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 07:55 AM

I remember Jacko Kevans playing his concertina at the Yarralumla Woolshed dances in Canberra when I was a teenager. He was a great musician and made his concertina sing. He and others like Bob McGuiness created a fantastic scene there - and generated a love of Australian bush music in a generation of Canberrans. I remember him playing in a corner at the Glengarry Castle, and at the National in Canberra. Because I was a teenager when I first heard him, he has represented so much to me of the times then.

His funeral was held yesterday at the Nimbin cemetery, with a wake at the Tuntable Falls Hall.

freda

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: freda underhill
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 08:25 AM

in fact, I see that amalia clawall remembers Jacko too - check her post at

Subject: RE: BS: Magenta Bites Back - a vampire tail
From: GUEST,amalia clawall - PM
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 03:41 PM

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: Helen
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 03:07 PM

I haven't seen Jack for years, not since the Newcastle Folk Festival was held once (or was it twice) at Morpeth before moving on to Wollombi.

He was doing a workshop there and I was "roadie" for a Celtic Harp workshop. We chatted briefly, parted with a hug and never met up again.

I'm sorry to hear he has gone but it's just one big folkie session up there in heaven. I know he'll be getting in touch up there with Charlie Batchelor (old bush fiddler) and the others gone before for the most rollicking session imaginable.

Helen

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: Helen
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 03:13 PM

Chris Kempster, Declan Affley, Jacko practising for the session in heaven

Photo from Bob Bolton's The Bolton Files (thanks Bob!)

Helen

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: pete au
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 09:12 PM

i met jacko @ the toowoomba accordion festive regularly,&then again
@woodford,i got speak to him @ woodford for the first time & thought to myself wot a nice bloke,i have heard him play, certainly a great player,my u rest in peace jacko
pete

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 09:18 PM

Sad news ... great musician, unassuming guy.

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: GUEST,Mazz irwin ( Plane)
Date: 01 May 05 - 04:34 AM

Thursday was a sad day indeed, particularly for those of us who couldn't make the funeral and wake. Jack has left a huge hole in the trad. music world. He had so much warmth for younger players and has inspired many to take up an instrument. Hope you're up there having a grande time with Charlie now mate. Vale Jacko. Words cannot express my thanks for all our good times, Mazz

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: GUEST,Maureen Cummuskey
Date: 02 May 05 - 12:16 AM

very sad news. Jack was my introduction to the folk scene in sydney. i was at the 1970 Port Jackson festival concert on my own as i hadn't been in Oz very long and got chatting to him - he invited me to a party in Balmain, and my association with the Sydney folk scene and music beyond took off from there. As Margret said, an unassuming guy - and a great bloke. Vale Jack.

Subject: RE: Passing of Jacko Keavans, Australia
From: rich-joy
Date: 02 May 05 - 01:37 AM

For all those who couldn't be there in person, here is a description of Jacko's funeral, by Brisbane folkie and current Champion Moreton Bay Bush Band member, Ian Drynan :


Hello to all –
It was a privilege for Ruth and me to attend Jacko's funeral at Nimbin on Thursday.   He was laid to rest in idyllic surroundings on a beautiful sunny afternoon with his beloved rainforest hills in the background and cattle grazing in lush green pastures adjacent to the cemetery.
Around Jacko's open coffin positioned under a shady tree (with an accordion and a cricket bat alongside) we enjoyed beautiful music and song in the open air, plus many verbal tributes by those present including his son Kieran and daughter Kate, and an inspiring eulogy by his brother Denis interspersed with his own poetry, some verses composed specially in honour of Jacko.   Many photographs depicting the various facets of Jacko's life were spread around for those present to enjoy and reflect upon.
Denis led us through much of the Kevans family history in Sydney and Canberra – not all rosy by any means – with touches of pathos and of humour that typified Jacko's whole life in many respects.    Denis also recalled Jacko's musical development during the sixties in Canberra, bringing back wonderful memories of "The Monaro Boys" – rough and ready as we were but of which I was proud to be a part!

The coffin was then covered and carried a short distance to the prepared grave accompanied by a lone fiddler. Prior to that we sang "The Parting Glass" ……..a glass filled with many tears on Thursday in the sunshine and the gathering afternoon shadows at Nimbin cemetery.      
It was a most moving send-off.    I also should mention that there was a great session at the Tuntable Falls Community Hall following the funeral.    Unfortunately I had to leave while the music was in full flight and drive back to Brisbane.    Bugger !!       Jacko would have been in his element……………………

    Ian Drynan



Cheers! R-J