IN MEMORIAM: JERRY CASE November 24, 1943 - May 29, 2024
Jerry Case, a prominent jazz guitarist and automobile restorer on the Los Angeles scene, passed away at the age of 80 on May 29, 2024 from multiple health issues, including recent complications from radiation treatments for cancer of the esophagus.
He was born Gerald Wayne Case on November 24, 1943 in Washington, D.C. His parents, J.C. and Floy Case, were “transplanted” Texans serving our country during World War II and they returned to their native state near the war’s end. Both parents were musical and during the 1950’s Jerry and his younger brother were child performers on stage shows in Paris, Texas and other regional towns. Jerry’s professional career began in 1963 as lead guitarist for Liberty recording artist Joe Carson. Some two years later, Jerry Case was touring and recording with the famous Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. It was while he was with Wills that Jerry began playing seven-string guitar, inspired by the masterful George Van Eps.
In the 1970’s Jerry divided his time in the Fort Worth area gigging every night (with the Bill Swift Trio + 1) and enjoying his favorite daytime hobby flying his private Cessna “tail-dragger” airplane. He also supplemented his remarkable mechanical and electrical skills with learning how to do body work on automobiles. Jerry Case eventually became a master mechanic for classic cars in the Los Angeles area, and he performed jazz regularly at Casey’s Tavern and numerous other music venues.
After his move to L.A. in 1986 Jerry met guitarist Jimmy Wyble, another former Texas Playboy. Their shared interest in jazz had led both guitarists into that arena. They would become and remain close friends. Jerry was much loved by many people from all walks of life, of all ages and cultural backgrounds. One of his Fort Worth friends, drummer Ron Thayer, said: “Jerry seemed to draw out the kindness in other people.” Having worked with Jerry in the Bill Swift group for several years, Ron said that the saddest day in his musical life was the day Jerry Case moved to California, because: “I knew that I’d never know another one like him, as a musician or as a human being.”
In 2019 Jerry met Maxine Ostrian, who would become the love of his life. In addition to Maxine, Jerry is survived by his brother Johnny and sister-in-law Kitty Case (both of Fort Worth, Texas) and granddaughter Michelle Stanley (also of Texas). Jerry left a legacy of recordings with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Maurice Anderson, Bill Swift Trio featuring Drenda Barnett, Slim Richey, seven jazz albums with his brother (as John & Jerry Case) and several CDs recorded in Los Angeles with various West Coast jazz artists. These include: Alexis Donnelly, Lee Lovett Orchestra, the Bill Kalmenson Sextet, Jon Nagourney with Richard Maloof and Eugene Wright. Jerry’s solo album “SOLO GUITAR ARTISTRY” can be heard in its entirety on the Mack V. YouTube channel.