Tampa Bay jazz drummer David Via dies at age 59

Jan. 27, 2010 - PRLog -- Drummer David Via died Monday evening (January 25, 2010) at Mease Hospital in Clearwater Florida due to complications from various illnesses at age 59.  He was both diabetic and experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding in his final days at Mease Hospital where he spent the last six months of his life.

David studied with percussionist Keith Copeland and Terri Lynn Carrington, and performed with such illustrious names as Dizzy Gillespie, Dr. Billy Taylor, Charlie Byrd and Jimmy Heath.  He toured with vibraphonist Jon Metzger as part of the United States Information Agency arts America program traveling to Central America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

As a clinician and educator, he had hundred's of students. One of which was John Keefe of the popular rock band "Boys Like Girl's".  He taught 8 years at the University of South Florida Tampa and 10 plus years at Jeff Berlin's Players School of Music in Clearwater.

An avid fan of the New York Yankees, David Via had no family, but remained close friends with bassist Jeff Berlin and his wife Vickie.

Memorial services will be held at the The Players School of Music Campus 923 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, FL  33759 on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 3:00pm.

For further information, please contact The Players School of Music at 800-724-4242

# # #

Creative Mind Entertainment is a service company providing Public Relations, artist consulting, development , and performing arts management.