“Los Angeles Philharmonic double bass player Frederick Tinsley passed away on September 19,” reports an unsigned article posted Thursday (9/22) in Musicalamerica.com (subscription required). Born March 3, 1940, Tinsley “was with the Philharmonic for 42 years, having been hired in 1974 by then Music Director Zubin Mehta. Prior to Los Angeles, he had been a substitute musician with the New York Philharmonic.” A native of Hartford, Conn., Tinsley played in the Hartford Symphony Orchestra from 1969 to 1974 and was assistant principal bassist of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra from 1971 to 1974. At the Los Angeles Philharmonic he “also served as assistant personnel manager and was an instructor in the orchestra’s training program for minority students.” As a jazz bassist, Tinsley “worked with a number of major players, including Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, and Kenny Burrell.” Tinsley’s survivors include his wife, Juanita Tinsley, three children, and two stepchildren. The LA Phil will dedicate a concert to his memory during its opening week of concerts this season at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Posted September 23, 2016
