Tony Campise died this morning at 3:33am of a massive brain hemorrhage.
Funeral arrangements are pending.

This is NOT how I like to start my day. Tony was such an inspiration and an incredible cheerleader. We will not see his like again. God bless you, tony. You are in a much better place now.

Tony in action with Fathead.

2006 with Bud Shanks: http://forestphotography.smugmug.com/Jazz-In-Photos/2006-Live-Gallery/2006-Bud-Shanks-Kemah-Jazz/11444198_9vc6Z#804663701_ZdfWt

2007 with David Newman: http://forestphotography.smugmug.com/Jazz-In-Photos/10th-Annual-Kemah-Jazz/Feature-Artist-David-Fathead/3579772_2rEvN#203296391_2BtJu

God bless you,Tony;friend,mentor,colleague.We will all miss you greatly. JF

We love you Tony. GodSpeed and thanks for the music, encouragement, smiles, kisses, and laughs. You will be missed! Have fun in that great band in the sky! We know you'll keep em smiling and their jaws dropped!

I can remember back at the very beginning of my tenure at UH when I invited Tony to play with the band on one of our concerts. Those of you who remember, Tony was the jazz band director before me. It was a bitter sweet return for him, as I recall, but he was still the consummate professional. He played with a charisma and a style that was magnetic and the band really enjoyed his advice and encouragement. In addition to playing the sax that evening he also sang a very heartfelt rendition of Body and Soul where he really emphasized the words "my life's a wreck....". I remember feeling sad at first and then realized that he was smiling when he sang those lyrics. That, for me, was Tony Campise. Even in the most difficult times, a smile. RIP Tony.

Noe

Made this little tribute for him. I love that big tenor sound and it's one of my favorite songs.

still uploading, should be up soon...

RIP Tony. Glad to have known you and jammed with you.

Thanks for posting the video, Paul. There's nothing like a ballad to show what a player REALLY is, which, in Tony's case, would be "as good as it gets."

I only heard him play once live at Kemah. As soon as he started to solo I began asking around, "who is that?". I never forgot the name 'Tony Campise', couldn't tell you who was headlining but always remembered him and his playing.

That's a beautiful video Paul, thanks.

Remembering you, Tony...

What can be said? Tony was able to channel his bizarre personality into and thru the sax - what a player. And he always kept us laughing.

He was one of my greatest inspirations in my younger days and always among my very first calls in later years when it came to studio work - if it had to played, Tony could play it - anything - any tempo - any key.

What a lovely video, Paul. Thank you. As Mark says, "as good as it gets."

May God rest your soul, Tony Campise. Thank you for everything you shared with us.

Paul

I saw Tony Campise at the board walk as well. Could he blow or what.

1st time I saw him was back in the 70's when Jerry Perkins invited him to Alvin to jam with us at AJC. What a player!!!

He will be missed..

Update March 12th, 2010.

from Michael Mordecai:

Memorial service for Tony Campise will be held Sunday, March 14, at 2:30pm at Riverbend Church located at 4214 North Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360). Mitch Watkins will be playing at the Elephant Room at 9:30pm and has invited anyone who wants to play a song for Tony to sit in.We are looking forward to seeing Tony's friends from Houston.

Tonys death... was so sad to me to me that I didn`t want to accept it.
I think Tony had alot to do with Love...and happiness.
He loved to see other people happy.
One of the first things on his mind when he`d see me is...I want to make Keith laugh...I want to make Keith happy.
It was almost like a mission.
I never got the impression he was trying to get something from me for himself.
Life would knock him around and he`d just try to shrug it off privately.
So Tony was a sweety.
He had his problems...and for thoses who loved him ....they`d be very concerned.
It was because we loved him.

an old friend Keith Karnaky

Tony you inspired all of us! Thanks
student and friend
Bruce Melville

Just back in town from West Africa and very saddened to see this.

My fondest memory is he and Bill Miller playing the French Quater up on the North Side and having a ball.

RIP.

I went to the memorial service in Austin;it was an awsome outpouring of love and respect for our old friend...Tony's big band played,and also other fine musicians.Seems like most the musicians in town were there.It was a fitting tribute to a great man-God bless you Tony! JF