3 Final Bars: Obituaries on Roswell Rudd, Keely Smith, Kevin Mahogany

  I  
Image

Roswell Rudd (1935–2017)

(Photo: Courtesy hubtone PR)

The jazz world recently bid farewell to trombonist Roswell Rudd, singer Keely Smith and vocalist/educator Kevin Mahogany, three artists who made significant contributions to the art form.

To read DownBeat’s most recent interview with Rudd, click here.

For information regarding Smith’s passing, click here.

To read Mahogany’s obituary and a Classic Interview from DownBeat’s archives, click here. DB



  • Bela_Fleck_on_CNN_with_Fredricka_Whitfield_2026.jpg

    Belá Fleck during an interview with Fredrika Whitfield on CNN.

  • KP2_Print_copy.jpg

    ​Peplowski first came to prominence in legacy swing bands, including the final iteration of the Benny Goodman Orchestra, before beginning a solo career in the late 1980s.

  • 2707_Pressphoto2_copy_2.jpg

    The success of Oregon’s first album, 1971’s Music Of Another Present Era, allowed Towner to establish a solo career.

  • DAddario_RSWAB-LG_oninstrument1hi-res_copy.jpg

    Rico’s Anti-Microbial Instrument Swab

  • Best_of_Art_copy.jpg

On Sale Now
February 2026
Snarky Puppy
Look Inside
Subscribe
Print | Digital | iPad