Jack Brand

Jack Brand, 78, of Rockford, peacefully went to his eternal rest on Thursday, September 15, 2016 after a long illness. Born John Frederick Brand in Springfield, IL, he was called “Jack: from infancy. Jack’s father died when he was four and his mother, a telephone company supervisor was sent to San Francisco for the war effort. Jack was sent to live with his grandparents in Mason City, IL, where his interest in playing the drums blossomed. By 5th grade he was invited to play with the high school band. Jack’s mother remarried and took Jack with her to Rockford where Jack obtained a used drum kit in 6th grade. In 7th grade he became a member of a small jazz group that won several contests in Rockford and Chicago. As Jack entered high school he was playing with older musicians in local nite clubs and began teaching. Upon graduation he went on the road playing with several bands across the country. After 3 years, he decided the ‘road’ and one-night stands was not for him and returned to Rockford to teach and play with the very best of local musicians in dozens of venues, from circuses to the Symphony and all the best nite clubs in the area. In the early 90’s Jack taught at Beloit College and as head of the Percussion Department instituted their Percussion Ensemble program. At the entryway to his teaching studio are two large drum heads filled with the signatures of some of the hundreds of drummers he has tutored. Jack also published several drum method books and a coffee table book on his idol, jazz and studio legend Shelly Manne, which received world-wide acclaim. “To help drummers improve their craft and then use that craft in a musical way has been my life’s work. Jack received the RAMI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.
Jack is survived by daughters, Beth (Joel) Porter and Lisa (Stephen Beck) Brand. Predeceased by his parents and step-father, daughter, Rebecca Benhoff and son, Jason Brand.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Rockford Area Youth Symphony, 711 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108 assisted the family. Express condolences online at fitzgeraldfh.com