Kenneth G. Adams

Kenneth G. Adams, 65, a multi-instrumentalist and a Local 802 member since 1970, died on April 20.

Mr. Adams earned a B.A. in music education from Howard University and an M.M. in clarinet from the Manhattan School of Music. As a flutist, clarinetist and saxophonist, Mr. Adams played in numerous Broadway musicals as well as with the New York City Ballet, the Brooklyn Philharmonic (where he also contracted children’s concerts), the New York Virtuosi, the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Black Repertory Ensemble of Chicago. He was also the chair of the Performing and Fine Arts Department at York College (CUNY).

Mr. Adams was the solo clarinest for the Symphony of the New World, which was New York’s first integrated orchestra.

He recorded with Luther Vandross and Mary J. Blige, performed on numerous jingles and film soundtracks, and played top performances like the Black Enterprise Awards, Christmas in Washington and the 1997 inaugural gala for President Bill Clinton.

“He was gentleman, a loyal friend and a great colleague,” said Les Scott, who knew him since 1971.

Mr. Adams is survived by his wife Velma, son Mark, grandaughter Marleigh, brother Neil and cousins Grafton, Josephine and Andre.

Dino Anagnost

Dino Anagnost, 67, the music director and conductor of the Little Orchestra Society, died on March 30.

Mr. Anagnost, who was also a pianist, joined Local 802 in 1975. He conducted the Little Orchestra Society for 32 years, creating uniquely designed concerts for children, such as “Lolli-Pops” and “Happy Concerts for Young People.”

Mr. Anagnost was especially known for building creative and sometimes offbeat programs like “Music Takes Flight,” an aviation-themed concert that ranged from Samuel Barber to Glenn Miller.

Another program was called “The Two Annas: Vivaldi’s Muses,” which looked at the composer’s relationships with young women at an orphanage where he worked. Vivaldi was a longstanding interest and the Little Orchestra Society presented an annual Vivaldi program for 20 years including the series called “Vivaldi’s Venice.”

Apart from his work with the Little Orchestra Society, Mr. Anagnost conducted the Asian premieres of Menotti’s “The Medium” and “Amelia Goes to the Ball.” He also conducted Poulenc’s “La Voix humaine” for PBS’ “Great Performances” as well as a re-creation of Richard Rodgers’ ballet “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue,” with New York City Ballet’s prima ballerina Allegra Kent.

A Greek-American with an ongoing interest in Greek music, Mr. Anagnost was dean of music at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of North and South America on East 74th Street. He held a master’s degree in conducting from Juilliard and a Ph.D. in music from Columbia.

Mr. Anagnost is survived by a brother, a sister, a sister-in-law and three nephews. In lieu of flowers, friends and supporters are encouraged to make contributions to The Little Orchestra Society. (See www.LittleOrchestra.org).

Obituary from Andy Propst/TheatreMania.com and Brian Wise/WQXR.org.

Leo Elkin

Leo Elkin, 91, a violist, died on Dec. 10, 2010. He had joined Local 802 in 1947. He served in the Navy during World War II where he earned the American Theatre Medal, Asian Pacific Medal, European Theatre Medal, One Star Medal and Victory Medal. After the war, via the G.I. Bill, he studied at the Manhattan School of Music and was a professional musician for the remainder of his career. He played in the Buffalo Symphony, the Houston Symphony under Leopold Stokowski, Radio City Music Hall and Copa Cabana where he played with Johnny Mathis, Frankie Avalon, Robert Goulet and Paul Anka among others. He also played with the Local 802 Senior Musicians Orchestra. Mr. Elkin is survived by his wife Winnie Jo, a daughter and two grandchildren.

Morton Silver

Morton Silver, 65, a multi-reed player and a member of Local 802 since 1963, died on April 6.

Mr. Silver was inspired to play the saxophone when he heard Vic Morosco teaching lessons in the same Bronx apartment building where he grew up. He graduated from Music and Art High School in 1963 and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Juilliard in 1967 and 1968. But he always said his real training came from working in the Catskills.

Mr. Silver’s resume was diverse. He worked with Buddy Rich’s band and played in the President’s Own Marine Band during the Nixon administration. He played many Broadway shows, including “Beatlemania,” “They’re Playing Our Song,” “Grand Hotel,” “Tap Dance Kid,” “Kiss of the Spiderwoman,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” and the revival of “Gypsy” starring Bernadette Peters.

He contracted “Blood Brothers” and Tommy Tune’s “White Tie and Tails.” He recorded numerous jingles, cast albums and record dates. He also toured and recorded with Steve Reich and appeared with dozens of luminaries including Steve and Edie, Johnny Mathis, Shirley Bassey, the Temptations, Tony Bennett and Lena Horne.

“The Broadway woodwind community has lost a brother,” wrote Mr. Silver’s colleague Martha Hyde. “He was a loyal friend and someone who was always willing to help a new player break in. He believed we’re all permanent subs, even when we have shows. He told his family, ‘Getting sick taught me to appreciate life outside the business.’”

Mr. Silver is survived by his wife Brenda, sons Jeffrey and Matthew and brother Michael.

We also remember . . .

Gilman Collier, piano
John Grimes, trumpet
Phil Nardone, bass
Howard Roberts, trumpet
Eric Rosenblith, violin
Leonard Zanni, trumpet