Paul Chafin, 78, sax man, owner of Chafin Musicenter

Today's paper:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/03/25/m3b_chafinobit_0325.html

This regal man lived right down the street. Opened his music shop here in 1956. Airmen of Note and so much more. I sat down with him for an hour a few weeks ago. More than thankfully, I got to play music with him for a couple years. My family knew him for decades. He was my sister-in-law's childhood flute teacher; she went on to receive her doctorate in music. Our pianist grew up calling him Uncle Chafin, his father, a high school band director, and Paul (PC) best friends for a while. Our bassist, now 70, played a few gigs with PC in the 60s. So when we asked Paul to join our trio after Joe Noto made his "entrance", it was just a natural fit. PC made an emotionally turbulent time uplifting. So we all found a way to have joy.

Here's a page I made devoted to his sound:
http://www.myspace.com/jazzstream2005

One really striking thing about Paul was his refusal to compromise excellence. With children, including my own son after a personal violin recital in my home, PC said a few things to promote practice and excellence. "Why not?", he said . . . and you can't argue with that! And it really showed in his playing. For his chosen style, he reached the pinnacle.

From Palm Beach County With Love,

woof

p.s.- I think Alex knew Paul . . .

Very sorry to hear of your loss of a friend and bandmate Keith. I enjoyed his playing in the many clips you posted of the band , and also on the MYSpace page. I know you cherish the time you spent with him, and that's what friendship and love are all about. I will say a prayer for him. Peace, TED

Thank you, Ted! It's beautiful when a life makes it easy to celebrate their memory. It's hardest on the immediate family when all we can do is share the joy of our experience.

Woof,

The memories this man has left you with tells me that he did his job. Not just as a musician but also as a person.

I am very sorry for the loss to all who knew him and to all of us who has lost someone that has touched us in such a way that it could not be helped that he or she became this dear to us.

A refined diamond amidst the rough.

Rest in blissful peace, Paul.

Don.

Somehow though I've never had the pleasure of meeting Paul personally, recent years of listening to you from your music offerings and links bridged the gap in my experience of this man.

My prayers and condolensces go to the entire family Keith.

Thanks, dudes. PC touched a lot of hearts in this community. Here's the paper's guestbook online where people leave their thoughts and sympathy:
http://www.legacy.com/PalmBeachPost/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=106295937&PageNo=1

It's only been up for a couple days and already has 7 pages . . . now this is a part of the internet that is absolutely amazing . . . a veritable message board after someone has moved on . . . you guys must also be experiencing this phenomenon in your communities . . .

Hey Keith,

I added my comments to the Guest Book. As I said, I'm only aware of Paul through you knowing him and past comments you've made over the years with JazzStream.

If I may ask, what is in store now?

Suss, we've been a piano trio for a couple years now. When we get quartet gigs, we have a few friends . . . one of which is a wonderful trumpet player and Harvard grad I mentioned to you recently in an email . . .

Allow me Woof to retrieve that email as unacknowledged.

Also thanks for keeping Us/me posted with your activities.

And you THANK I'm gonna sleep in your freakin' TREE HOUSE when I come to LAKELESS!???

Thank again!

[Oh, I'm sorry: "THINK again!"

PC was an important guy here . . . the Palm Beach Post wrote an editorial about him:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/opinion/epaper/2008/03/30/m2e_chafin_edit_0330.html?cxntlid=inform_artr