Johnny Powers (1923-2008)

Bassist Johnny Powers died Thursday, March 20. There will be no funeral ceremony. A celebration of his life will be held at Heidi's Jazz Club in Cocoa Beach at 5 PM on April 6.

 

Reprinted From FLORIDA TODAY

Music scene loses a powerful presence

'Beloved' bassist Johnny Powers dies at age 84

BY CHRIS KRIDLER • FLORIDA TODAY • March 22, 2008

Johnny Powers, a popular bass player who was a mainstay of Heidi's Jazz Club in Cocoa Beach and played with several bands and big names, died Thursday at age 84.

"He was really, truly one of the most beloved musicians we've had here in Brevard County, and he's been here many, many years," said Jack Simpson, host of the radio show "Jazz on the Beach." "He had such a great personality."

(A longtime member of the Space Coast Jazz Society, he played his bass at many SCJS meetings over the years. In March of 2005, he was an honored guest along with pianist Johnny Bolan at the Annual SCJS Benefit.)

A native of Canada, Powers always made a living making music. Born in Saskatchewan, he eventually moved to Toronto to perform, said his wife, Donna. His name was John Pidruczny, but a bandleader told him he had to change it.

Over the years, he played with entities as diverse as the Windsor Symphony, Lawrence Welk, Mel Torme, "The Soupy Sales Show," Ray Terry's band and his own group, The Towne Criers.

Simpson heard him at the Tune Timers club in Jackson Heights, N.Y., though he didn't realize that connection until years later.

Powers' personality invited the teasing of singer Annie Sellick when she came to Heidi's to perform.

Simpson remembers Sellick stroking Powers' hair as he was playing. "He had to sort of stand there and smile," Simpson recalled. "That used to be a funny scene at Heidi's."

Powers always had a smile and never a bad word for anyone, said Heidi Deleuil, proprietor of Heidi's Jazz Club in downtown Cocoa Beach. He was a regular performer there for 16 years.

"Heidi's was like Johnny's, you know," she said. "He played every New Year's Eve here, except the last one. . . . It's a big loss for the musical community."

Years ago, Powers would be on call to play with guests at the jazz festival at Wolfie's in Cocoa Beach.

"If they needed a bass player, we would get a call at 3 o'clock in the morning," said his wife, whom Powers married in 1959 after they met working at a club in Orlando. They made their home on Merritt Island.

"He was just a really, really personable, nice guy," she said. "Everybody loved him. Everybody still loved him. He was just somebody fun to be around, had a great personality . . . I had people ask me, 'Is he as great at home as he is out in company?' Every bit. Had a sense of humor that was just unbelievable."

In addition to his wife, Powers is survived by sons Randy Brooks and Scott Brooks of Orlando; daughters Vicki Rios-Martinez of Merritt Island and Shawn Mahram of Duluth, Ga.; and several grandchildren.

Instead of a funeral, there will be a celebration of life at 5 p.m. April 6 at Heidi's, 7 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach.

With pianist Johnny Bolan, left, and SCJS Presiding Director Don Schultz, right, looking on, emcee Jack Simpson gives a pat on the back and a commemorative plaque to bassist Johnny Powers at the 2005 SCJS Benefit. . Powers and Bolan, who also got a plaque, were honored guests.

Dancing with Donna


The young Johnny

 

Return to Home Page