John Novello The Song That Never Ended A Jazz Musician's Journey To A Love 2003

Synopsis

Out of the Tumult and Passing Glory of the Los Angeles<br>Jazz Scene, a Love Beyond Space and Time<p>When his jazz singer wife Gloria Rusch died of cancer in January, 2000, acclaimed keyboardist/author John Novello found he was not alone. Gloria was still there, shining resplendently from a higher reality, to guide him through his own spiritual awakening. <p>One of the great love stories of our time, The Song That Never Ended unfolds against the glittering backdrop of the Los Angeles music world of the 1980's and 1990's. Through its pages pass a dazzling array of celebrity performers: Stevie Wonder, Billy Sheehan, Donna Summer, Chick Corea, Ritchie Cole, Manhattan Transfer, A Taste of Honey, and many more. Master of the Hammond B3 organ John Novello and virtuoso jazz singer Gloria Rusch are a part of this glowing tapestry of gifted artists. During this period they meet, fall in love, marry and pursue their careers both individually and together -- until, in 1999, Gloria falls ill with a virulent form of breast cancer. For over a year, Gloria battles the disease with every spiritual weapon at her disposal. Never far from her side, her husband John seeks out a wide range of alternative and conventional treatments that take the couple as far afield as Mexico and Germany. Finally, Gloria succumbs. <br>But the vast celebration of life that is The Song That Never Ended has only just begun. In the long and mesmerizing final section, John Novello describes for us his post-death 'interdimensional' communications with Gloria. He details his astonishing "contact sessions" with five celebrated mediums -- encounters that convinced the musician/author that Gloria was still beside him. The Song ThatNever Ended ends on a note of high serenity and aching beauty: the realization by John Novello that death has not denied the love of Gloria and himself, and that it need not deny the love of any of us.<p> <br>JOHN NOVELLO was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and has lived in Los Angeles since 1978. An author, arranger and composer as well as a keyboardist, he has performed with numerous groups throughout the U.S. and abroad. In 1985, he published the industry-standard textbook The Contemporary Keyboardist. In 1995-96, he co-founded with Billy Sheehan the progressive jazz rock fusion group Niacin, with himself at Hammond B3 organ, Billy on bass, and Dennis Chambers on drums. Their latest CD release is Time Crunch, from Magna Carta.