PBS is saddened to hear the about the passing of Graeme Osborne on Sunday 22 August. He was just short of 78.
Martin Jackson, Melbourne Jazz Cooperative and former PBS presenter shares his tribute to Graeme.
"He was Chairman of the MJC for several years from the late 90s to early 2000s, taking over from Allan Browne, when his health had declined. Virtually all of Graeme's adult life was devoted to jazz music, and he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the whole jazz spectrum. He attended venues such as Jazz Centre 44 while completing a Bachelor of Economics at the University of Melbourne, and then migrated to England, basing himself in the vibrant London scene. He mainly worked in record stores, including a long stint at the iconic Dobells' Records (pictured above).
On his return to Melbourne in the early 80s he began Jazz Import Services to distribute jazz and R&B albums here. In the mid-80s he also briefly filled in for Adrian Jackson as jazz critic at The Age (which included writing a weekly 'Jazz: What's On' column in Friday's "Entertainment Guide" supplement). He proved himself to be an astute critic and eloquent writer, and it is a great pity that he did not have an outlet to write more.
"Ossie" also had a long-running program on PBS for many years, which inspired the next generation of radio jazz presenters (such as his long-time friend, Gerry Koster). He semi-retired to Stanley about 15 years ago, working part-time at the local Post Office, and in a bookstore (books being his other great passion) - as well as enjoying the region's red wines. A modest and unassuming man, this is a huge loss of knowledge (and a loyal mate). Vale." Martin Jackson
Graeme contributed much to PBS over the years, including paying tribute to another PBS great, Mick Geyer. You can listen to Graeme's tribute here. Thank you Graeme.
