Local resident Eve de Castro-Robinson reports on the passing of well-known musician Jonathan Besser.
As she told Ponsonby News... “I’m very sad to report the death of beloved friend, musician Jonathan Besser, known to me as Bess.
“It was a precious gift to be with him and his loved ones in Auckland Hospital as he passed gently and peacefully away. Bess was an ebullient character, living life with a zest and crackle, whether rambunctiously playing the piano, composing with an innate musicality and fervour, or guffawing over a bottle of red with his many friends and collaborators.
“He was dealing so graciously with the trials of motor neurone disease, but his passing last month was a merciful release from the ravages of this cruel condition.
“In May last year when he was just still able to play, we staged a concert at the Pah Homestead, where he sat in the front row next to partner Sarah Guppy and the late Billy Apple, and watched his closest buddies play, sing, and improvise his music from merry to mournful, to outrageous. Then he took to the piano, and with his friend Chris Prosser on violin, gave us a lyrical, heart-wrenching Wellington Harbour.
“Still composing right up until, his sister Kathryn, visiting from New York, said he was avidly explaining the details of upbows and downbows to her a few days before his passing.
“Due to Covid restrictions, a private memorial was held last month. Farewell dearest friend.”
Eve de Castro-Robinson, Ponsonby
Bess was well loved by all who knew him.
Deb Filler gave Ponsonby News her thoughts on Jonathan Besser’s passing.
“A most amazing musician, wunderkind, crazy genius left us last month, released from suffering with the accursed motor neurone disease. We knew he was ill but somehow him actually dying never really occurred to us. He was so full of LIFE!
“I cherish his memory, his wonderful laugh that came out of nowhere, his intelligence, his wonder at the world, his unbelievable stoicism, total directness. And his way of getting straight to the heart of the matter. An idiot savant, a kind, gentle genius, this is such a sad loss.
“I feel fuller, richer and better for getting to share an itty bit of the life of Jonathan Besser. I am so grateful for last year’s concert. “Goodbye honey. I’ll miss you Bess.”
Deb Filler, Ponsonby
Published 4 March 2022