Last modified: Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Jacobs School of Music receives $1.9 million gift in support of Jazz Studies Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2012
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A $1.9 million gift has been made to the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Jazz Studies Department by the estate of Anne and Paul Plummer.
Paul Plummer, far left, is seen here playing tenor saxophone with the IU Jazz Ensemble, directed by David Baker, far right, at the 1959 French Lick Jazz Festival.
A tenor saxophonist, Paul Plummer was a close friend of Distinguished Professor David N. Baker.
"I'm completely stunned to hear of something so magnanimous, a gesture that is so selfless," Baker said. "It would mean so much to Paul to see how this all of a sudden enhances the school and makes it possible for us to offer a world-class jazz education to so many worthy students."
Watch a video interview with Distinguished Professor Baker upon hearing the news.
Plummer was a member of a band Baker formed in 1958 and 1959 that consisted of college peers and musicians from Richmond, Ind. The two went on to perform and record together as members of various ground-breaking groups led by jazz innovator George Russell. Plummer also spent time in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Thailand for many years.
"Paul was not a talkative person; he was a very gentle man, and he knew his worth as a player," Baker said.
Recordings of Plummer are available through Cadence Jazz Records.
Plummer, who died at the age of 73 earlier this year, was married to Anna Sarvis, who passed away in 2003.
