Jazz Musicians to Pay Tribute to Late Pianist Massimino

Nearly two dozen top Southland jazz musicians will come together on Friday to play at a memorial service for pianist Joe Massimino, who died May 24 of complications from stomach cancer.

Singers Julius LaRosa, Stephanie Haynes, Dewey Ernie, Micki Rhyne and Joanie Sommers; pianists Tom Ranier and Mark Massey, bassists Luther Hughes and Jack Prather, drummers Paul Kreibich and Dave Tull and guitarist Ron Eschete are among Massimino’s friends and collaborators scheduled to play at the 10 a.m. “Celebration of Life” service at Saddleback Mortuary Chapel, 220 E. Main St., Tustin.

Massimino, veteran instrumentalist, composer and arranger as well as bandleader for “The Mike Douglas Show” for 15 years, would have turned 64 on Friday.

Massimino’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made either to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Assn. Information: (714) 544-1450.