Floyd Standifer

I studied trumpet with Floyd in the early 70's. He was instrumental in getting me into Berklee as well. I later played with Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich, Lou Rawls, Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, Frank Sinatra and many more. I always kept in touch with him. A tremendous loss for me personally. This is what I posted in the Seattle Post Intelligencer:

Floyd was my second father. It will take awhile for this one to sink in. I remember one time while I was stuck in NYC while playing for Buddy Rich, Buddy decided to take an extended vacation and left the whole band to fend for themselves. I called Floyd when he was on the Seattle Local Musicians Union. He told me there were emergency funds available for such circumstances earlier. However, when I called him he said that the funds had "dried" up. He sent me $200 out of his pocket for me to take a train home.

There are too many kindness stories about Floyd, his generosity, sense of humor, history and deep understanding of the human condition to even attempt to put into words. I sat with him at Don Lanphere's memorial service and he was dressed impeccably, as usual. His honor, respect for his fellow comrads and style, of an unfortunately bygone era, tells a story and lesson to me, to how to try and live my life as well. Not just his music, but his humanity. I always tried to keep in touch with him. Maybe a bit too often at times, but he understood. This is a tremendous loss to the Seattle and world community of musicians. And to me personally, a very monumental one. I know he is playin', cracking jokes and "bein' Floyd" up there with the best musicians ever. Gabriel needs to move down one chair, or as Floyd would have said, "just dovetail a bit". Be Blessed Floyd.

Steve Swanson
Seattle, WA

Thanks for that story, we'll sorely miss him.

I loved Floyd's playing... on all instruments, and even without an instrument, Floyd knew how to light up a room.

-Barrett Wilke

Thanks for posting a link to my article on Floyd Standifer. For those interested, there will be a viewing of Floyd on Jan. 31st from noon to 6 p.m. at the Dayspring-Fitch Funeral Home at 5503 Rainier Ave. S. Their phone number is 206-723-8955. His funeral will take place on Thursday, Feb. 1st at 11 a.m. at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church on 19th & Madison St. Both of these services will take place in Seattle.

Floyd was an extraordinary musician on trumpet, flugelhorn, tenor sax and as a vocalist. He was a warm and wonderful human being and one of the most talented musicians ever. His passing will leave a hole in the Pacific NW jazz scene that cannot be filled. He was one of a kind. Floyd came to Kalispell last May and back again in September, reunited with Billy Wallace. As usual, he connected with many new fans as only Floyd could do. He will be greatly missed by all who heard him and recognized what a gift he had, and even more so by those who knew him and realized what a gift he was.

John Simpson & Miriam Singer, Singer & Simpson Productions,
Kalispell, MT