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A small group of family and friends gathered at Minton's Playhouse in Harlem to celebrate the life of Stanley Crouch, the 74-year old author, journalist, critic, playwright, poet and NEA Jazz Master who died in New York September 16 following a long illness.

"I am blessed to witness the love and respect that so many people showed my husband throughout his life," said Crouch's widow Gloria Nia Nixon-Crouch. "Although he played the drums, writing became his music and publications were his stage. He was beloved by many, not always appreciated by some, but I believe he was respected by all."

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Among the program participants were Wynton Marsalis, trumpeter, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and President of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation (LAEF); bassist and the celebration's host, Christian McBride; pianist/vocalist Jon Batiste, saxophonist David Murray, vocalist Tammy McCann; and Victor Gould Trio.

Marsalis said Crouch "could rude, but was the friend who went to musicians' memorials, visited people in hospitals, sent notes of support and helped those who were struggling."

McBride recalled Crouch was so enthusiastic about a concert that he hugged him so tightly that he couldn't breathe. "When I could finally talk, I thanked him, but realized that even a compliment from Stanley could come with a little pain."

Robin Bell-Stevens, Director of Jazzmobile, Vice President of LAEF and producer of the celebration, opened the program welcoming family and friends that also included remembrances from Jackie Harris, Executive Director, LAEF; Robert O'Meally, author and Columbia University Professor; Greg Thomas, CEO, Jazz Leadership Project; Art Thompson, Advisor, LAEF; and Sheila Anderson, author and WBGO On-air Host. The Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, Pastor of The Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, presented the opening prayer and the eulogy.

O'Meally proclaimed, "If Stanley were a bell, the brother would still be ringing." Harris said, "LAEF saw its greatest growth and began functioning as a well-respected non-profit organization'' during Crouch's tenure as President.

Rev. Butts concluded the afternoon of memories with calling Crouch "a man who was true to himself … who did not ever hold his tongue … so forthright, so bold that your first reaction was to fight, but it should have been to sit down and listen …"

Stanley is survived by his wife Nia, his daughter Gaia Scott-Crouch, his granddaughter Emma Flynn White and Nia's daughter, Donyale Farrar.