Very sad news from Houston this morning (2/21/08). Band leader and legendary trumpeter and bandleader Calvin Owens has passed away. Click HERE to read this week's tribute to Calvin Owens on the Blues Wax 'Blues Bytes' page. Our thoughts are with his wife and the Owens family.

"The Maestro" Calvin Owens' Memorial Services will be held in Houston, Texas, on Monday, February 25 at Johnson's Funeral Home on 5730 Calhoun Rd., Houston, Texas 77021. The funeral home can be contacted at (713) 747-9604. The service will start at 6:00 p.m. ending at 9:00 p.m. As Calvin wished to be cremated, a viewing is unavailable.

Calvin's family and management invite family, friends, and the public to share in this Memorial Service to celebrate his life and accomplishments. Calvin's wishes in lieu of flowers are donations to the Sawdust Alley Music Preservation Foundation in Houston, Texas, established as a perpetual 503(c) to aid in the education, preservation, and furtherance of Big Band orchestration with our burgeoning musical youth. Contributions should be sent to Sawdust Alley Music Preservation Foundation, P.O. Box 885, Houston, Texas 77001.