(b. August 17,1949, d. February 26, 2020)
Jim Moran was a phenomenally gifted, versatile musician who spent his entire life playing and teaching in the Bay Area. He played saxophone and flute, as well as being able to hold his own on keyboards. Occasionally he picked up the trumpet, only to reveal his affinity for musical instruments by producing a remarkably beautiful sound. Nothing musical seemed to be beyond his reach.
Jim could improvise impressively, a talent that saw him through many gigs at weddings, clubs and concerts. He was also a studied classical musician, and played flute so well that he subbed in both the Oakland and SF Symphonies. As a teacher, he guided students through their studies with care and diligence. He would often talk about these students with a probing curiosity, examining their abilities as well as their limitations with remarkable insight.
Jim’s penetrating intellect left few icons standing. His method of delivery was humor, though he was never mean even when his thoughts were very pointed or critical. Jim’s observations of the truly talented and accomplished revealed both his fundamental humility and his innate sense of wonder and appreciation. He seldom, if ever, talked about others negatively in order to build up his ego, but instead waxed eloquently on their extraordinary (sometimes super-human) achievements.
As a fellow musician, Jim was a joy to work with. Nothing exceeded his abilities as a player or his intelligence as an artist. Creativity was the goal, and he always rose to the occasion. Rehearsals were fun, lively and deliciously thought-provoking with Jim, and everyone who performed with him felt inspired by the collaboration.
Jim’s life was not without tragedy, losing his wife Sandy to cancer when his son James Patrick was only 9 years old. Jim was in his forties at the time and, despite being older, took on the challenge of raising his son as a single father with love and dedication. Jim never formed another long-term relationship from that point on. His example of responsibility and dedication to his son still serves as a lesson to us all.
We feel his passing as an enormous loss. How we miss those jokes that would keep us laughing all night over a delicious meal or during a daylong walk through Muir Woods! We can only believe that those folks “on the other side” are having a much better time since his arrival. May this beloved man rest in peace.
(Allan Pollack)
