This one is just disturbing but nonetheless worthy of a mention. Malachi Ritscher has been a booster for Chicago based free jazz and improv for many years. You’d often see him at local shows, and his Savage Sound website contained a great deal of info on area performances. Last week, he apparently committed suicide via self-immolation.

I’m not going to play psychoanalyst here, but needless to say this is a bit shocking. While I never had the opportunity to meet Malachi in person I have exchanged a few emails with him over the years.

A sad day in Chicago. He will be missed.