Nova Scotia jazz musician, musical director and teacher Skip Beckwith has passed away at the age of 79.

Though the beloved jazz bassist from Sydney passed in Blockhouse on July 31st, news of his death has only surfaced in the community he helped nurture over the last few days.

Beckwith’s background in Canadian jazz is decorated with accolades that range from his first recordings with Canadian jazz pianist and composer Brian Browne, his many contributive efforts to the revival of the Halifax jazz community, his improvisational trio Alive And Well, and his later tenure as the back bone of the jazz program at St. F.X University.

During the 1970s, Beckwith also served as a musician and musical director for fellow Nova Scotian icon of Canadian popular music, Anne Murray.

Check out this great detailed tribute piece in memory of Skip Beckwith published by the Chronicle Herald.

Take a listen to some of Skip Beckwith’s work with Alive And Well from their Way Out East album in 2000: