|
In Loving Memory
Charlie O
January 3, 1942 – November 17, 2008
Charlie Ottaviano was born to Marino and Tillie Ottaviano in Batavia, New York, on January 3, 1942. He grew up on a farm in Oakfield, New York with his parents and two brothers, Tony and John. Charlie was the middle son. It was a musical family and their Dad taught them all about music and each played an instrument or two. Charlie was an extraordinary man. He always had a big smile and a warm welcome for everyone. He had a big heart, a great sense of humor, an infectious laugh and always a funny story to tell about the plentiful antics in his life. Charlie’s biggest passion in life was jazz and he always dreamed of opening a jazz club. He did that in August 2000, little by little converting the small neighborhood establishment into a real jazz club. He started small with music one night a week with John Heard and Earl Palmer performing and soon it grew to live jazz seven nights a week. The club became so successful that it’s been voted one of the top 100 jazz clubs in the world every year since 2001 by Downbeat Magazine. There have been thousands of nights of music and all of Los Angeles’ finest jazz musicians have performed there together with some of the best jazz musicians from all over the world. The club has thousands of fans from California and the world over. Charlie met the love of his life in 1982 and his wife Jo-Ann has been by his side ever since, through thick and thin, good times and bad times, but always together they accomplished what they set out to do. Charlie had a vision to share his great passion for jazz with the world. Not too many people get to live their life’s dream – Charlie O certainly did. He was successful and well-respected by all who knew him. There has been an overwhelming outpouring of love, affection, sorrow and support from the all of the musicians, the entire jazz community and all of his friends. Charlie touched the lives of many people. He will be missed by all who knew him. Charlie is survived by Jo-Ann, his brother Johnny, nephew Jay and nieces Jill and M.J.
|