In Memory of our departed Shipmate

I’m like many people who knew John; music was the thing that brought him into my life. I first met John about 15 years ago when we both performed at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, but I didn’t really get to know him until a few years ago when I joined Ship’s Company.

John was the quiet one, the one who didn’t demand attention or try to dominate the room. He was one of those people I fondly call "low maintenance." But he was so good at what he did. I noticed, and I asked him to work with me on a solo recording project. I’m so glad that I did that, not just because of the work we did but also because it gave me the chance to get to know him a little better.

Working with John was a real pleasure: whether we were in the studio or onstage, I found the music that we made together energizing and uplifting. But more than that, I found John himself to be smart, funny, creative, and generous in spirit. He was all that and a genuinely nice person. Even with his impressive talent and abilities, John was modest to the point of nearly eclipsing himself. His focus was on music, not fanfare or money. He told me that he just cared about "making good music."

The last time that I saw John, we spent a lovely afternoon singing and playing aboard the Woodwind, a schooner that sails out of Annapolis. After we docked, we walked downtown to the Drummer’s Lot to sing along with the folks at the monthly Ship’s Company Shanty Sing. I still remember how much fun it was to harmonize with him on the choruses. While we were saying our goodbyes, I said, "That was really fun." He said, "Yeah, we should do that again sometime."

I feel a terrible loss, but I only scratched the surface in getting to know John during this too-brief period of time. I know that the grief of his family and longtime friends is so much greater than my own. But I’m grateful for the time that I had with John, for the chance to make good music with him, and for the inspiration that he brought into my life in his own quiet way.

Darcy Nair