| Jeffrey Steven Simpson
June 3, 1972 - June 21, 2002 | 
| Photography by Linda Maszgay | | | It is with difficulty that I write this. It is my Memorial to my dear friend, Jeff Simpson. I write this to and for all that knew and loved him, and to the entire Mid-Atlantic Music Community. On June 21st, 2002, we lost one of our own. Jeff was one of the founding members of our former band, Yellow #5, and it's bassist. As I put pen to paper, it becomes clear to me how impossible it is to capture the essence of a man in words. Although the desire to do so is very great, I don't know that I'm worthy of the task.
What I do know is that Jeff was one of the finest musicians I've known. I also know that he harbored within him, an immense amount of untapped potential that was not realized due to his passing so soon. I do not mean this to say that Jeff was the best bassist to ever live. He had his fair share of blunders and mistakes as all musicians do. What I do mean to say is that when this man shined, he shined! And the beauty of his art was undeniable. Jeff was an asset to this band and an asset to me, musically and personally. Jeff still stands to date as having been my biggest fan and my most severe critic. He was more than my bassist, he was my friend and in many ways ........well, he was my brother. Jeff's capacity for mischief was boundless, and I have never before or since known anyone of such a free spirit. It was that very free spirit that made him so endearing and simultaneously seemed to keep him in trouble. Even more than this, his ability to see through the eyes of another made him very unique, very compassionate -- very wise.
My dear friend had his burdens to bear, as we all do. However, those challenges never stopped his ability to love, to play and write music and to view this world with the wonderment that is seen in so few adults.
I miss my friend. I miss my former bassist. To those of you who read this and are or have ever performed with a set of musicians, you understand this more than anyone. The bond that develops between those that constitute a "band" is very, very deep..........very, very strong. It's inexplicable, in a way. A band is much like a family, albeit every bit as dysfunctional as any other family. And the loss of one of our own hits hard.
The first original work this band ever performed was "Before". That song will forever be performed in dedication and memory of Jeffrey Steven Simpson. He, and the joy he brought, lives in our music. What I am certain of is that he knows peace and freedom now and that he is safe. My only wish is that he can see and hear me when I perform our music and that he knows .............I wish he were there........
There's so much that can be said, but so few words suffice. As I write this something he said so frequently comes to mind, so Ičll stop here and.........."just let the music do the talkin'".
Clarissa |
| | CLARISSA'S Gift | Yesterday I Learned
(My gift to Jeff's Mother, Linda Maszgay)
"Yesterday I learned that my friend is gone
And how my time with him is now truly done
Yesterday I learned how my heart could break
How regret and grief converge and take
Yesterday I learned my love could not be shown again
How my time with him had reached it's end
Yesterday you taught me never again to wait
To express myself fully and without waste
Today you taught me all is not lost
You taught me to remember without pain or cost
Today you taught me to see a new day
You taught me to love more truly all that remains
Tomorrow I will continue on the path that we started
As if I needed more reason, I now cannot be parted
Tomorrow I will continue, in your name, with the music
I will continue our plan, our hope, our dream.........our music"
Clarissa
July 2002 |  |
|
|
