We're deeply saddened to report the loss of a WGTD colleague: Tim Bell, host of Classic Big Bands and Beyond, died early Wednesday morning of an apparent heart attack.
The retired UW-Parkside woodwind instructor had performed on clarinet with the Racine Concert Band at Park High School the night before, according to the group's conductor, Mark Eichner. "He had an extended solo and it went beautifully," said Eichner, adding that his friend and former co-worker seemed to be in fine spirits.
The 75 year-old Bell had hosted his WGTD program since 2009. Classic Big Bands was part of WGTD's Saturday night line-up of jazz.
For several decades, Tim played professionally in the area while teaching music at Parkside and leading the school's jazz ensemble. "He was a top-tier player," Eichner said. "He had more work than he could handle."
Tim and Mark taught side-by-side at Parkside for several decades.
Tim retired from teaching in 2011 but kept on playing. He was looking forward to playing in the pit orchestra of the Skylight Theater's annual holiday show, according to Troy McDonald, who produced Tim's WGTD program.
At Tim's retirement party in 201l, former students from around the country showed up to pay their respects. "It was like no other retirement party," Eichner said. " He was a great teacher. " Many of his former students now play professionally.
A 2011 WGTD video profile of Tim playing in the pit at the Skylight is below.
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