[lks]

Jane Little, Atlanta Symphony Orchesta musician

by lks on Wed May 18, 2016 11:47 am

Jane Little, 87, Atlanta, Georgia. "An amazing way to Go." Dedicated musician with symphony for 71 years. She did not let multiple myeloma take the joy out of her life:

Article:

"‘An amazing way to go’: Jane Little, world’s longest-serving orchestra musician, collapses and dies performing ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’," Washington Post, May 16, 2016 (full text of article).

Excerpt:

Jane Little, who debuted as a bassist in Atlanta on Feb. 4, 1945, at age 16 and who never stopped playing, died during a performance of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on Sunday. She was said to be the longest tenured orchestra musician in the world. She was 87.

“We can say that Jane was fortunate to do what she loved until the very end of her storied life and career,” the symphony said in a Facebook post. “The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra was truly blessed to have Jane as part of our family for the past 71 years and we all miss her passion, vitality, spirit and incredible talent.” ...

The symphony did not provide a cause of death. Little had not been feeling well. She had been undergoing chemotherapy for multiple myeloma, had missed the orchestra’s April concert in Carnegie Hall in New York, and told Russell Williamson, the ASO’s senior orchestra manager, during intermission at Saturday night’s concert that she felt weak and woozy. That night, violinist Ellie Kosek asked Little to call when she got home safely, which she did.

Little was not a physically imposing figure. She weighed 98 pounds and had battled through, in addition to the myeloma, a broken shoulder, elbow and pelvis in recent years. Last August, she fell and cracked her vertebra, leaving her unable to play.

[NStewart]

Re: Jane Little, Atlanta Symphony Orchesta musician

by NStewart on Wed May 18, 2016 5:54 pm

It sounds like she was an amazing woman. So wonderful to transition from this life while doing what you loved.

Nancy in Phila