Nick Colionne passed away on New Years Day this year.
Colionne's representative Christine Clark posted the news to his fanpage with the comment, "We are devastated. Heaven has another Angel. RIP dear Nico."
The press release stated that Colionne was hospitalized on the 31st with "some pain" and passed away "suddenly" the next morning in the hospital.
"Nick achieved contemporary jazz stardom in the early 2000s, and, since that time has been one of the genre’s most dynamic and tireless live performers. Nick was known for his wit, charisma and incredible sense of style," Colionne's obituary reads. It continues, "Nick was beloved for his compassion and caring nature; he considered his fans, friends, fellow musicians and artists as his extended family. When not touring or composing, fishing was his favorite pastime."
Love for Colionne flooded the internet at the news of his passing. "Goodbye, Nick.
Just two months ago we were jamming with the one and only Nick Colionne..." Jeff Kashiwa posted along with a video of them playing.
"Incredibly sad that we lost Nick Colionne this morning! We all have the same experience with him, always fun and warm on and off stage!" - Michael Lington
"We had just played sharing the stage on two consecutive nights in late November in Dallas and Galveston," Paul Taylor posted. "Such a bittersweet way to start the new year with his passing but such fond memories to have known Nick Colionne and to have performed with
him over the years. I always admired his playing and ease with the audience. Rest in Peace and thanks for the memories."
Rusty O'Brien, leader of Nick Colionne's fan group 'The Colionne Connection' wrote on Facebook "The Connection is truly a Family and we will continue to honor Nick and Carol by listening to his music and seeing each other at music events where we can share those special memories and continue what they started … respecting and caring about each other, and enjoying our ties to a very unique man and his music."
Read the full obituary here. A service has been planned and in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The American Cancer Society or St. Jude's Research Center.
Read the rest of the Colionne Connection's remembrance post here.