Chuck's Friends Share Their Thoughts

I have been a fan of Bobby Darin since I was 10 years old. For many years I opened my radio show with a Bobby Darin song. Bobby was one of the most talented showmen I have ever had the pleasure of seeing in person. I know how much Bobby loved Chuck and it is so nice of you to dedicate this site in Chuck's honor.

Sincerely,

Ron Oleksiak
A/K/A "Rockin Ronnie" Chesterfield, Michigan

Where do I begin???
Tonight after midnight
I type in the name Chuck Domanico into Google, just for fun...

AND HE's GONE???

I felt a hand on my heart - squeezing - tight
Enid! Chris! I LOVE YOU
CHUCK!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

The last time I was in LA - I stopped by the house...Chuck hated surprise visitors, so I called on the cell phone, and sat behind his house in my car..talking..until he realized I was there, and invited me in...laughing. You NEVER just popped in on Chuck and Enid...

It was early - Enid had just come home from the hospital - Chuck was taking care of her. Chuck took the best care of her. ENID - I know you are being cared for right now, but MY GOD!!! CHUCK!!! LEFT US FIRST???

My musical father...my friend...We sat and talked...he made me a cup of coffee...I hadn't seen him in so long. It was like coming home again.

Chuck and Enid kept me alive when I moved to LA. I varnished the wood. I stripped paint...They fed me, paid me. LOVED ME!!!

I played trumpet for him..he listened, he taught...he took me to sessions...took me under his wing...Enid had Chuck's trumpet redone...it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen...he had me play it for him...

I am full and empty at the same time. Full of memories...empty without him.

He would come home, and I'd ask him - how was your session???
"Just another day of UGLY music" he'd say...he hated to play just for pay. He KNEW good music. He IS (I refuse to say was) good music...

Chuckie...you NEVER will have to play another bad chart again my friend...
When God took you home, there was a place on the bandstand waiting...

And the music will ALWAYS be good...I can see you - your eyes closed , head thrown back, looking to the sky, lost in the moment...
Make it sing, my brother, my father, my friend, make it sing...

I love you

Jeff Oster San Francisco, CA.

www.jeffoster.com

Chuck, who was then eighteen, another guy named Byron Olson & I, had what was to become some of the best memories of my youth. We had a piano, bass & drum trio in Chicago called the “Mitchell Roberts Trio”. That trio / family moved west to Los Angeles and the rest is history. Chuck you were special and I'll miss not being able to talk with you. I love you my friend.

I played many jobs with Chuck and pianist Byron Olson in the early 60's. All Chicago musicians knew what a genius player he was. Our family will pray for Chuck.

Chuck was a member of our family since he was 17 years old. There was this bond of love between us that neither time nor distance could ever break. That bond will always remain in my heart. Thank you Enid for your loving care throughout. You were his Love!

We are shocked and saddened to hear of Chuck's passing. We will miss him so much.
Thank you so much for sharing all the wonderful pictures of Chuck. What a great tribute to a wonderfully talented, most loving human being.

I (Denise) first met Chuck when he was playing at a lounge called The Cafe LaMotif, in Villa Park, Il. He was just a young man, but you knew he was really going to have an impact in the music world. Well, he did, but more than that, he had an impact on anyone who was blessed to have him come into their lives, in whatever way that he did. He was simply "The Best"! What more can I say. I will always love him, and will miss him more than words can say.

With love, Jeremy Lubbock

Dear Jussta and Enid:
Our hearts are with you in your loss and we celebrate the life of Chuck and his wonderful playing. I met Chuck almost thirty years ago in Chicago when he was practicing to become the world class musician that he became. Chuck is still an inspiration. After years of raising a family and working hard, I have tried to reconnect to some people from my youth. I recently reconnected with an old friend named Bob Paolinelli who first introduced me to Chuck back in the 60's over at the Domanico home at Harlem and Foster in Chicago. I think we listened to Ravel in the basement, and afterwards Bob gave me a music theory lesson. Chuck called Bob "The Prov"( having to do with cheese), and after speaking to Bob again after 30+ years I called Bob "the Prov" and I asked him how Chuck was doing. Bob told me that Chuck gave him that name "Prov," and that Chuck had passed away last year. I looked on the Internet and saw your web site. Please accept my condolences. I was a fan and followed Chuck's playing with one of my other great inspirations Shelly Manne. What wonderful friends Chuck has nurtured throughout his career. May God bless and keep you. We shall keep the faith, and the music playing.

Sincerely yours, Tom Brenner

I found your site and am almost crying as I type since there is no proper documentary of the greatness of Chuck Domanico. I'm a bass player. Thirty years ago a piano player friend introduced me to Chuck's playing on Carmen McCrae's "Great American Songbook" LP. Now nowhere on the internet is proper respect paid to either Chuck or to Carmen and this makes me very sad. Carmen was a great artist with many, many recordings to her credit. But she did not reach her peak until she recorded with the greatest - Chuck Domanico. Satin Doll, etc.

Nothing is more sublime, as a professional bassist, I am humbly submitting these comments to you and I hope you will let the world know how great was Chuck Domanico that his sound continues and will continue until the insects inherit the earth - but we will not go there, not now, at least, not yet.

- Greg Keranen

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