Jim Roach passed away October 9, 2012 after a short stay in the hospital. Jim was a Charter Member of the New Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society. He was at the Orangevale Grange Hall on May 5, 1968 when a handful of Traditional Jazz lovers got together for the first time to play and listen to Trad Jazz. For a Trad Jazz fan, it was a fun time. In those days it was a very informal setting with refreshments mostly potluck.
Jim was also involved with (he really ran it), the Sacramento New Orleans Hot Jazz Society, often referred to as the Little Jazz Club (1972 to Dec. 1980). Sacramento New Orleans Hot Jazz Society was devoted to moldy fig type of Traditional Jazz, musicians and fans. The older and more Traditional the Jazz, the better he liked it. He was a classic moldy fig. Jim was the go to person if one had a question about Trad Jazz, or just wanted to know some Traditional Jazz trivia. He would load you down with more Trad Jazz trivia and information than you may have wanted.
Jim was involved with many aspects of the STJS and the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. He served on the STJS Board of Directors in the mid 1970’s. He was involved with record inventory and distribution when STJS sold records, later tapes and CDs. He was with Jazz Express for a couple of years and later with the Membership Committee for another couple of years. During the past 15 or so years you would find Jim at the Admissions Table for the STJS Second Sunday Concerts at the Dante Club. You could count on Jim telling or passing on an old joke.
Obituary Published in The Sacramento Bee on October 28, 2012 ROACH, Sydney James (Jim) Born in Sacramento, CA December 7, 1932, to Julian and Madeline (Bryson) Roach, passed away October 9, 2012, at age 79. Survived by his adopted family, The Cross Family. Jim was a graduate of McClatchy High School and served in the US Naval Reserve. His loves were Dixieland Jazz, baseball, and his 1970 Cadillac. He served as President of the Sacramento New Orleans Hot Jazz Society and was a charter member of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society. As per his request, there will be no services. Interment will be at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon.
