Philippine Showbiz Today Vol 14 No 5 | Page 24

24 Philippine Showbiz Today March 8 - 21, 2019 Philippine Queen of Jazz Annie Brazil succumbs to pneumonia at 85 Annie Brazil, known as the country’s Queen of Jazz, passed away at 85. Her son, Raffy Wolfe, confirmed the news via Facebook post. “Please join our family as we celebrate the life of our mother, the great Queen of Jazz Annie Brazil. Her remains lie at Premiere Suite-1, Loyola Memorial Chapel Guadalupe Makati. Viewing starts today at 12nn. Here’s to life!” he wrote today, March 6. According to some reports, the cause of death is “pneumonia arising from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.” Recall that last month, Annie’s daughter, Rachel Anne Wolfe – who lives in New Jersey, USA – shared a photo of her with her mom, attached with the caption that read: “I miss you mommy. You are always in my prayers. There’s not one day that goes by-that I don’t think about you. I’m glad that I was able to see you even if it was only for a week. “My mom went back to Manila because she was getting lonely here in the States. After her first stroke in 2016 I did not think she would want to travel again. After 25 years of living with me and my family here in New Jersey-she wanted to go back to her roots. So here we are, she went back to celebrate her 84th birthday and the following month – Nov. 28, 2017 she had a massive stroke that had left her half paralyzed and bedridden. But she is tough as nails! Hang in there mom, I will be back soon! I love you so much #Philippinequeenofjazz #anniebrazil,” she continued. “I Lost My Queen Of Jazz…. I Lost My Dearest Mom Annie Brazil. Dear God Please Bless The Loving Soul Of My Dear Mom. Please Take Good Care of Her In Your Beloved Kingdom. I Love Her Very Very Much. Till We Meet Again Mom.” Born Justiniana Bulawin, Annie is known for conquering not only the local scene but abroad too. Annie Brazil with son singer Richard Merck She was invited by Newport Jazz Festival founder George Wein in 1969 to grace the outdoor musical spectacle in New York, where she got to hobnob with jazz greats like Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Nina Simone, and pop icons The Bee Gees. The same year, Anne shared the stage with Duke Ellington in a jazz concert in Bangkok, Thailand which also featured the likes of Lionel Hampton and Ellis Marsalis, father of Wynton Marsalis. She also received numerous recognitions, including an award from the Asian American Jazz Festival in New York as well as the lifetime achievement honors in the 20th Aliw Awards, just to name a few. ● - S.M. Bernardino, MB