Remembering Tom Jolly

THOMAS E. JOLLY III, 64, passed away Friday, May 29, 2009 at Norton Audubon Hospital after battling heart disease for several years. He was a musician, member of the Louisville Federation of Musicians and Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas E. Jolly Jr.; and his brother, Stephen Michael Jolly. He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Meller; mother, Elizabeth Jolly; brother, Reggie Jolly; and a granddaughter, Jacquelyn. The funeral was held at Evergreen Funeral Home, 4623 Preston Hwy., with interment in Evergreen Cemetery.

It is with great regret that we say goodbye to our long-time friend and colleague, who would have been a member of this Local for 50 years this fall. Member Quentin Sharpenstein delivered the following remarks at his memorial service:

OPENING PRAYER

Eternal Father, we come together today to celebrate the life of your son, Tom Jolly. You gave him the gift of music and Tom heard your calling loud and clear.

You put him on earth to play his horn. He did that to perfection.

You put him on earth to sing. He did that with the best of them.

You put him on earth to entertain. Oh, and did he ever!

Thank you, Eternal Father, for loaning Tom to us for this short time on earth. Life is precious and thank you for his time with us.

Gabriel, it’s time to add a real ringer from Louisville on your band.

Amen.

MY TRIBUTE TO TOM

As a member of my group, the Rascals of Ragtyme, Tom entertained Louisvillians for years as a singer, entertainer, and most importantly as a tremendous trumpet player.

Tom’s playing has thrilled crowds for years at the Redbirds games in old Cardinal Stadium, the Mayor’s Summer and WinterScene, and countless Jazz and Rock clubs here and throughout America.

As you got to know Tom, once in a while he would have a bout of a curious malady we liked to call Jollyitis. With these attacks of Jollyitis, it was best to stand back and let it run its course. Like a summer thunderstorm, he would cloud up, rumble some thunder, and suddenly it would be gone as fast as it showed up. It would usually appear at places like the Moose Club. You needed the money, so you would invariable take the job and hope for the best. However, an attack of Jollyitis was always lurking just beneath the surface. The fuse that usually set it off was multiple requests for tunes like the Chicken Dance or the Hokey Pokey.

That’s what it’s all about!

Oh, and by the way, Jollyitis would also set in after Tom would hear some bozo come up and say – “How ‘bout playing that two trumpet trick of yours one more time?”

Everyone would get home from the gig and we would wind up having a good laugh over the whole deal.

Tom was a serious player and his resume showed it. On a national level, he played with the Rolling Stones, Blood Sweat and Tears, Brenda Lee, James Brown, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and yes, Elvis Presley.

But Louisville was his home and his career included many local bands. A few that come to mind are Cosmo and the Counts, Soul Inc., June Kelley Roy and the Ovation Orchestra, Eddie Humphries and Barbara Polk, and Jake & Elwood and the Boys.

However, more than a trumpet player, singer, and entertainer, my description of Tom is best summed up as this: He was a wonderful friend to me. Thank you, Tom, for your time with me.

CLOSING PRAYER – Heavenly Father, we now commit Tom’s spirit to you. You created him and designed him with love. We know he is in a better place, without pain, disease, and worldly cares. Once again, we thank you for giving Tom to us. Our world is a better place for his gift of music. Amen.