Thursday, March 29, 2001

Canadian jazz musician Moe Koffman dies
AIH pays respect to the man behind our theme song

What a loss musician Moe Koffman will be on the jazz scene. Moe died yesterday of cancer at the age of 72. Most people will remember his musical stylings with his big hit Swinging Shepherd Blues. But at As It Happens, we'll remember Moe - daily - for his wonderful piece of music that kicks off our show. Moe and As It Happens go back a long way.

We went on the air in 1968, and the album our theme comes from, Curried Soul, was released and adopted a year later. Mark Starowicz, the executive producer of AIH back then, was responsible for choosing Moe's tune for our show's theme.

Originally we played Moe's version of Curried Soul, and later we used a version of his tune performed by Parachute Club. Then we went back to the original.

There's a story behind how that happened, and we're going to bring it to you thanks to the magic of tape.

In July of 1993, Moe was given the Order of Canada. Our summer guest host was Robert Fulford and we decided to call Moe up to congratulate him.

Here's that interview, including Barbara Budd's introduction, for the record:

Listen to that interview.(Originally aired on July 7, 1993)

Moe Koffman always felt like a part of this show, probably because for years and years his theme has opened the programme.

So when CBC Toronto held a big open house in November of 1996, we invited Moe and his quintet along to be part of the fun. And play the theme live.

So let's go back to the big echoey atrium, four and half years ago to an As It Happens replete with audience, Michael Enright, Barbara Budd and the irreplaceable Moe Koffman:

Listen to Michael's interview with Moe with an introduction by Barbara Budd.(Originally aired on November 3, 1996 at As It Happens open house.)

About Moe Koffman:

• He was born in Toronto in 1928.
  
• In 1993 Moe was appointed the Order of Canada for his contribution to the arts.
  
• Moe began his musical career playing the violin at age nine.
  
• Moe was short for Morris.
  
• Moe also played the clarinet, sax as well as a golden flute.