Obit: Jed Marum (1952 - 2018)

Subject: RE: Obit: Jed Marum
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Mar 24 - 05:42 PM

Jed is still getting airplay on WICN, public radio in Worcester, MA. Nick Noble plays him regularly on his "The Folk Revival" show on Thursday nights. Jed was originally a Worcester boy.

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: Jed Marum
From: Helen
Date: 23 Mar 24 - 05:37 PM

Hi Steve, there is an obituary thread for Jed Marum from 2018

Subject: Obit: Jed Marum
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 23 Mar 24 - 03:36 PM

It has been a number of years since I have been on the forum but I was listening to Jed Marums Streets of Fall River album yesterday. And now I understand that he has passed on. I am saddened by this news and can only hope that his music lives on with everyone who knew him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Jed Marum - May 1952 - May 2018
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 May 23 - 05:39 PM

It is sad that you missed getting to know Jed - he was an amazing performer and a very nice human being. You can listen to quite a few of his songs on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Obit: Jed Marum - May 1952 - May 2018
From: haiqu
Date: 21 May 23 - 01:59 AM

Just dropped by to pay my respects, belatedly. I didn't know Jed but from what I read here he's the sort of guy I would have liked as a friend.

I'm distantly related and live in Australia. Until a few weeks ago I'd never heard of Jed Marum, but in my genealogy research I was doing some DNA matches and his kit came up as a distant match for mine, so I emailed him. The email bounced, but since it was a match on a very interesting part of the family I decided to Google the name, and that's when I found this thread.

I'm sorry I missed you big fella, but in my own way I paid my respects, by creating a WikiTree profile for you. Requiesce in pace.

Jed Marum on WikiTree

Subject: RE: Obit: Jed Marum - May 1952 - May 2018
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 18 - 02:51 PM

Hello All,

There will be another gathering of musicians, friends and family in memory and honor of Jed. This one will be in the town where he attended high school, Northborough MA. It is on October 14th at 1:00. Folks are invited an encouraged to play, speak, sing or simply be present. There is a facebook event but it seems to be private. You may be able to see it if you visit his brother, Tom Marum's, page. If you want to participate you are asked to let Tom know so some structure can be put to the afternoon. If you have trouble accessing the event, post here and I will forward the message.
~long time friend to Jed and guest to Mudcat, Karen McCarthy

Subject: RE: Obit: Jed Marum - May 1952 - May 2018
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jun 18 - 09:44 AM

A reminder of Phil's message from May 19:

For those of you who've been watching this space for news of the public memorial for Jed Marum, I'm happy to announce that the plans are now in place.
"Jed Jam" will take place on Sunday June 24, 2018 from 2-6 pm at Poor David's Pub in Dallas. There will be a number of scheduled performers, maybe a few impromptu performances, and plenty of time for stories and remembrances of Jed. The bar will be open for sales, and I'm sure more than a few toasts will wish Jed well on his way. Should you wish, you are welcome to bring finger foods, munchies or sweet things to share, but nothing is needed but your presence.
Poor David's Pub is located at 1313 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75215 and there is plenty of parking available behind the building. On behalf of the family they look forward to seeing everyone and thanking you all in person for the amazing outpouring of love and support this community sent to them in the wake of Jed's untimely passing. Please come and help celebrate the life and music of this wonderful and much loved man, Gerald "Jed" Steven Marum.

Subject: RE: Obit: Jed Marum - May 1952 - May 2018
From: GUEST,Ed Wickham
Date: 15 Jun 18 - 10:43 AM

I used to work with Jed at Software Support in Framingham from 83-85! Also, played drums in his band back in 82... Just learned of his passing, what a legacy! RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Jed Marum - May 1952 - May 2018
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jun 18 - 02:40 PM

I was Jed's JV basketball coach in high school. I am retired now and the news of Jed's passing set me back-Rest in peace to my tall, lanky center.--Mr BO

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum - Memorial June 24, 2018
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 May 18 - 08:11 PM

Posted on the Mudcat facebook page:

To friends and fans of Jed, below is a beautiful message from our friend Brian McNeil. Posted to Jed's page by Jaime Marum.

Jed Marum

The sudden loss of Jed Marum to the world - and to the world of traditional music in particular - is huge, and very, very hard to accept. On the one weekend of the year when, for decades, he and I could always be sure of meeting up and letting our respective streams of music mingle, I finally feel calm enough to write a few words.

To say that Jed was gifted doesn’t come anywhere near the magic this man could produce, on stage and on record. As a songwriter myself, I found myself in unfailing admiration of his songs. The lyrics were finely honed, to the point, and never sentimental. The melodies which carried them always caught their mood exactly and reinforced them without fuss or frill. It’s no exaggeration to say that I’d find myself, on the journey home from the Texas Scottish Festival at Arlington, humming them to myself in departure lounges, at baggage claims, in security queues, letting them give me some kind of touchstone of sanity in the strange world we professional musicians choose to inhabit. Chickahominy River, I remember, stayed with me for months after I first heard it – I was still singing the song three tours later in Germany.

He was generous to a fault with his time and his talents, always enthusiastic, always ready to jump up on stage in someone else’s set if asked, and always willing to help a fellow musician in any way he could. I particularly remember him during the marathon fiddle sessions John Taylor and I used to end the Scottish Festival Saturday night with. Even if he didn’t know the tunes we were playing – and God knows, ninety per cent of the time we had no idea of what was coming next ourselves – he played along, learning as he went, improvising, letting himself get caught up in the exhiliration and the anarchy of it all. I’d turn round to find that huge grin of his behind me, and a nod of approbation which told me that Jed Marum, that most affable of men, was having a ball.

Politically, we were as different in opinion as two people could be, but it was never a bone of contention between us. We liked each other enormously, and we were both content to leave our differences untouched and concentrate on both our friendship and the easy dovetailing of our music. He did me the great honour of recording some of my songs, and the even greater honour of having me play on some of his own recordings.

That was always an unmitigated joy. To sit with the headphones on, listening to that awesome voice as I waited to add my fiddle or concertina for him, from the other side of the Atlantic, is a big and significant memory to me.

I hope what I played for him did him and his exceptional music justice.

I can only offer my sincere condolences to his loved ones. I miss him greatly, and I always will.

- Brian McNeill

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 May 18 - 06:56 PM

Thanks, Phil!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 19 May 18 - 06:14 PM

For those of you who've been watching this space for news of the public memorial for Jed Marum, I'm happy to announce that the plans are now in place.
"Jed Jam" will take place on Sunday June 24, 2018 from 2-6 pm at Poor David's Pub in Dallas. There will be a number of scheduled performers, maybe a few impromptu performances, and plenty of time for stories and remembrances of Jed. The bar will be open for sales, and I'm sure more than a few toasts will wish Jed well on his way. Should you wish, you are welcome to bring finger foods, munchies or sweet things to share, but nothing is needed but your presence.
Poor David's Pub is located at 1313 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75215 and there is plenty of parking available behind the building. On behalf of the family they look forward to seeing everyone and thanking you all in person for the amazing outpouring of love and support this community sent to them in the wake of Jed's untimely passing. Please come and help celebrate the life and music of this wonderful and much loved man, Gerald "Jed" Steven Marum.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: GUEST,SINSULL
Date: 17 May 18 - 12:11 PM

I just heard and like everyone else I am in shock. Jed did a few house concerts at my home and Deb Coward's. He was so amazingly talented. Sometimes when he spoke about a new acting project he just lit up. The best times were early morning breakfast the day after the concerts. I never knew who would walk in the door. The banjos and guitars would come out and the new songs would be tried out. Absolute magic.
Come Back Katie was one of my favorites.
Damn.
Jed loved his family, his music, his politics and his God. He was a gentleman and a gentle man.
Go sing with the angels, Rick and Spaw.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Jeri
Date: 15 May 18 - 05:36 PM

I loved his music, from the first time Max played him on Mudcat Radio. Then he came to the Getaway, and lots of us met him.

This haunts me, and I haven't stopped thinking about it at all. It's definitely bad that he's gone, but leaving at the musical/creative top of your game, surrounded by loved ones and friends, and without pain or suffering, and feeling pretty good, actually, is not a bad end. It's just really hard to figure out why I, and many of us, managed to out-live him. I figure a few of us are wondering about that.

It's good to love while we can love.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Benjamin
Date: 15 May 18 - 05:34 PM

The only contact I had with Jed was this forum. During such discussions and interactions, there was never an unpleasant moment. A fine musician and an outstanding person. It's sad to hear of his passing, but I'm happy to know he had the chance to make his contribution to our world.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: skarpi
Date: 15 May 18 - 04:33 PM

Sad to hear this ,
RIP dear Jed , I know you will be playing up there among many other ´s .

all the best Skarpi Iceland .

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: keberoxu
Date: 13 May 18 - 03:04 PM

In the last ten years, Jed Marum included, in his tour itinerary,
a performance at the coffeehouse of the Canton, Massachusetts, public library.

This is significant as it was his first Canton appearance,
and, as "Wicked Local Canton" notices observed,
"Marum grew up in Canton and attended Gridley, Hemenway, Canton Junior High, and Canton High Schools."
According to the very short soundbite there (dating back to 2011),
Jed Marum had moved to Texas by the time he began
making music on a professional basis.

I have made several searches online
for anything in Massachusetts
that carries notice of Jed Marum's passing. The searches have met with failure,
although I have searched:
boston.com
the Boston Globe
Fall River's newspaper, the Herald News
the Wicked Local regional sites (Massachusetts)

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: GUEST,bradfordian
Date: 13 May 18 - 02:41 PM

Would have been his 66th birthday today.
Particularly loved his “Banjos we have heard on high”
You can find this and others on his soundcloud account.
RIP Jed and many thanks for sharing your music.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 13 May 18 - 02:32 PM

Any other thread reader,
as ignorant of Jed Marum as I must confess to be,
might find this information valuable;
I had to leave Mudcat to find it.

Gerald Steven Marum
May 13, 1952 - May 2, 2018


online obituary listing

He was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, according to:
Restland Funeral Home, Dallas, Texas

---

Top link repaired.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 10 May 18 - 07:14 AM

No words. Just a sense of loss. He is, of course, in the "In Memoriam" thread.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 May 18 - 12:14 PM

Not finding an obituary in the local papers yet. But here is an interview from 2009 that came up in the search.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 May 18 - 04:24 AM

Met him at Sinsull's in 2009 at a house concert, nice guy. He ran me down to Logan the next day to catch my flight back to the UK. We had a long and interesting conversation on that trip.
The man and his music will be missed.
RIP Jed.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Bugsy
Date: 07 May 18 - 10:26 AM

Sad news indeed condolences to his family.

Rest in peace Jed

Bugsy

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Jeri
Date: 05 May 18 - 05:51 PM

Bill, I remember something about MMario being an honorary Beef Bro, so you weren't far off.
I think somebody else dubbed him such.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: ranger1
Date: 05 May 18 - 04:17 PM

If you're talking about posting them on his Facebook page, you can tag him in them and they will show up on his page.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 May 18 - 09:16 AM

There's a photo at the top of the Facebook mudcat page that Jed put up several years ago.

I have photos from Jed's performance at UT Arlington in Dec. 2011, but it looks like his page isn't accepting new posts from friends (to be expected). If someone wants to let me know how to send them to family, I'll select a few of the best. They're full-size images with an SLR camera, large enough to print or enlarge.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Bill D
Date: 05 May 18 - 09:02 AM

I'm sorry if I assumed too much... somewhere I have this pic of Mick, Jed, Rick & MMario standing together in the gym at Ramblewood. I thought the name arose then.

Wonderful memories no matter what...

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Jeri
Date: 05 May 18 - 06:33 AM

Beef Bros: Mick, Jed, and Rick Fielding. I believe it happened when they played together at an FSGW Getaway. Rick sort of anointed Paul Mills as his successor.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 May 18 - 12:16 AM

I love MMario, and he certainly possesses the physical attributes, but he was not one of the Beef Brothers. Just FYI

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 May 18 - 11:26 PM

He was at the North Texas Scottish Festival (Arlington, Texas) several times; it's always hot, usually muggy, but die hards attended; Jed was a major draw even though there were bigger names at the festival. And it was interesting to see who joined him on stage during his performances.

I'm loving these stories.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 May 18 - 09:06 PM

Jed was a fine songwriter and performer.

I was shocked when he told me who he voted for for president two times in a row but I got over that.

He died far too young.

Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Jeri
Date: 04 May 18 - 08:57 PM

The first time I heard Jed was on Max's old "Mudcat Radio" show. I thought he was really good, and wondered why I'd never hear of him. Apparently, the self-recorded "Streets of Fall River" had just come out. (I think it was 2000, but I'm not sure.)

Jed sent me the CD. Jed also sent me all of his CDs as they came out, and a few demos before they came out. He loved music, and he was generous. I believe it was Rick Fielding who encouraged him to commit to a music career. I don't think Jed ever regretted doing so.

No question he loved music. No question he loved his wife and whole family. He was just a really good guy, and everyone who had met him, wanted to see him again.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Bill D
Date: 04 May 18 - 07:08 PM

Can't even think what to say right now. Jed came to the FSGW MiniFestival even before he came to the Getaway... he helped set up chairs and sweep the floor... then he arrived at the Getaway, as MIck says... and then I heard him play!! and watched the creation of "The Beef Brothers" (of which MMario was a founding member)

................. :(

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: GUEST,Leslie
Date: 04 May 18 - 05:48 PM

Jed was my CCD teacher for confirmation. He sang and played guitar at our church and took a few of us to a blue grass concert at Berkeley. He sang and played guitar at my wedding. I will always remember him as a good, kind and talented person. My husband and I will always remember him.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Vashta Nerada
Date: 04 May 18 - 11:27 AM

Posted on Facebook late on Thursday by Jed's son:

We will be holding an intimate family memorial service this Sunday for Jed Marum. Soon, I will post information about an event we will be having to celebrate the life and music of my father, Jed Marum.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: gnu
Date: 04 May 18 - 09:50 AM

RIP, Jed and... thanks.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 May 18 - 09:10 AM

Thought I'd posted here, where I first heard the sad news, but I guess it was at Facebook.

That news was such a surprise, like a kick in the chest.

My heartfelt condolences to Jed's family and community of friends.

Linn

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: GUEST,bfdk
Date: 04 May 18 - 08:44 AM

Oh man, soooo sorry to hear this!

RIP Jed, and thank you for the music.

Bente

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 04 May 18 - 08:30 AM

On September 11th, 2002 I was at a conference in Toronto. I spent the evening with Rick Fielding playing some song s and generally passing the time as a storm came in off Lake Ontario. The first time since I owned it that my Ode five string played was ever played.

When I left he said, " Here, give this a listen, I think you will like it." The CD was The Soul of A Wanderer. By the time I reached Syracuse I think I knew every song on the CD and I have spun it every week ever since.

The few times I conversed with Jed was in this forum. When Jeri posted on a Facebook thread that he had passed I was stunned. He was one of those friends that we rarely see but his presence is felt.

I will miss the music that was yet to come.

Don

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: GUEST,Guest Bill Sables
Date: 04 May 18 - 06:25 AM

Sad news indeed R.I.P. Jed

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: C-flat
Date: 04 May 18 - 05:21 AM

Sad news.
I always enjoyed his posts.
Thanks to Acme for the earlier links.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 May 18 - 04:42 AM

Sad news about the loss of a great musician. His work was nothing short of magnificent - his passion to communicate his clear vision of folk music was an inspiration to the world. His friendliness and the generosity with which he shared his music was cherished by his many friends.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: alanabit
Date: 04 May 18 - 04:20 AM

I can add little to what has been written above. He used his considerable talents to record and celebrate the lives of others. In addition to all the other things he did, that made him a true bearer of the folk music torch. Farewell to a very good man.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Ernest
Date: 04 May 18 - 03:50 AM

Only knew him from the Cat (and youtube), but one I would have liked to meet.
His Banjo will heard on high!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: GUEST,Seamus Kennedy
Date: 04 May 18 - 02:52 AM

One of nature’s gentlemen, a gifted composer and songwriter, and a damn fine hand on the banjo and guitar. I’m proud to have shared the stage with him on a few occasions, and as with Big Mick, we never let our differences of political opinion ruin our friendship. RIP big fella!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Big Mick
Date: 04 May 18 - 12:31 AM

To say my heart is broken is a study in understatement. Jed, Rick, and I all met at the FSGW Getaway in Havre de Grace. We all immediately became fast friends. Jed and I both had long red hair tied in a ponytail. We both had goatees. We looked like brothers. He was tall,, so was I. We performed with Rick at the evening concert. Rick said, as he stood between, that was the first time he ever thought of himself as a little guy. That weekend the trio came by the name of The Beef Brothers. Rick introduced Jed and I into that marvelous Toronto folk community. Jed and I took a ramble out there, that is when we met Paul Mills. We recorded Desolation Island on that trip.When Rick got sick, and the end was near, he anointed Paul to take his place as the third Beef Brother. Jed and I took a number of rambles together

Our political conversations were intense. We had very different views. But we both agreed that politics should never come between friends. He always characterized our discussions as being “fierce agreement”.

This musical brother of mine was one of the most gifted songwriters and instrumentalists I ever met. To this day I perform a half dozen of his creations on a regular basis. His love song to his beloved Lou was the title track on Soul of a Wanderer. The Banks of the Mobile, about a Civil War nurse who helped Blue and Gray soldiers as they passed over brought this old Veteran to tears. We were doing final mix down with Paul at Millstream. He had painted such a picture with his lyrics that I sat there with tears running down my face. The Locket, The story of his Mom’s life as she succumbed to dementia, reminds us that it doesn’t matter that our loved ones can’t remember our names “Will she know my name at all, and does it really matter after all”. Just think on the depth of understanding in those lyrics.

Jed, your voice is easily found in those of us that were your friends. I am playing a Festival the first weekend in June. I am going to insert Desolation Island and Prayer from Little Round Top in the show. I hope you will approve of my version. I will miss our phone conversations, my friend. To Lou and the family, I ache for your loss. I was never once with Jed, or talking to Jed, that he wasn’t speaking with love and pride about you all.

Mick

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 18 - 11:37 PM

How did I get to be a guest again ? The above is me, George Ward.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 18 - 11:36 PM

In the non-digital world, I think I met Jed only once. Felt I already knew him because of the presence he was here on Mudcat for so long.

Condolences are important, and I offer them here to those of you I know, those whom I don't and those who loved him, even if "condolences' so often seem to have all the insubstantial heft of "thoughts and prayers."

It dawned on me (too slowly), years ago when a dear friend passed, that there was much
more to do. Sing his songs! Tell his stories! Not because you'll be him, or sound like him (don't try that too hard), but because those things mattered to him. He (or she in a different case) wanted them to live. So now it's down to you. To us. Honor that!
- G

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: GUEST,Guest David
Date: 03 May 18 - 11:29 PM

Jed was a long-time friend of Northfield School of the Liberal Arts in Wichita, Kansas. He was in the 2017 documentary by one of our instructors, Ken Spurgeon. The film is "Home on the Range" and Jed played the banjo in it.

Gonna miss his wonderful voice and sweet spirit.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Jed Marum
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 18 - 10:48 PM

After several years of pestering the Friends of the Library folks at my university they finally agreed that I could invite Jed as the performer for the holiday program. People came out of the regional woodwork - folks I hadn't seen before and who haven't been back since. It was our BEST attended holiday program that I remember in 20 years, and he had the usual delivery of a good singer - the grownup songs the kids in the audience wouldn't understand, seasonal folk and traditional songs, some of his own, and a swap out of several instruments during the performance. There was a quote I wrote down: "No set list survives the performance" and he threw in a couple extra as suited the occasion. He had recently purchased a banjola that he brought along for the evening.

I'm glad Don Wall was there to video the performance, most of it is up, one song at a time, on YouTube.