Lewis Anderson – Saxophone

Tarik Bulut – Drums/Arranger/Copyist

Larry Covell – Saxophone

John J. Hicks – Piano/Arranger

Colette Kozusko – Cello

Homer R. Mensch – Bass

John W. Schultz – Saxophone

Joseph Siegelman – Violin

Tarik Bulut

Tarik Bulut, a percussionist, pianist, and Middle Eastern multi-instrumentalist, died on April 9. He joined Local 802 in 1957 and was a member for 29 years.

Mr. Bulut was born in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a graduate of the Ankara Music Teacher’s School in 1946 and was invited to America by his government on a scholarship to study composition at Juilliard. Originally a percussionist in the Istanbul Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Bulut also played piano and various Middle Eastern instruments, including the darbuka, saz and oud.

He was also a drummer for the Michel and Papes Orchestra, which specialized in Greek, Turkish, Israeli and Armenian music. Later, with his own band, he played and sang for numerous social functions and fundraising organizations such as B’nai Brith, Israel bonds, Haddassah and others.

Mr. Bulut played for every major Turkish function in many states and cities around the U.S. These gigs ran the gamut from society balls to political V.I.P. events.

He was also in demand by Jewish Sephardic organizations and Balkan groups for weddings, bar mitzvahs, anniversaries and concerts.

When he wasn’t playing music, Mr. Bulut worked for the Turkish tourism agency, who sent him out to visit many elementary, high schools and colleges promoting cultural exchange between Turkey and America. On these engagements, he always played many Turkish musical instruments much to the audience’s delight.

Mr. Bulut appears on various recordings, including an album narrated by the late actor Richard Harris of Kahlil Gibran’s “The Prophet,” with music by Arif Mardin.

When he first arrived in the U.S., he was a constant guest on the radio talk show “The Voice of America” with host Telly Savalas.

“He meant so much to so many,” Mr. Bulut’s son Errol wrote in an e-mail. “Turkey’s musical ambassador will be truly missed as a wonderful person and a fine artist.”

Mr. Bulut moved from New York to Florida in 1986. He is survived by his sons Errol and Ken.

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Larry Covell

Larry Covell, 85, a saxophonist, clarinetist and flutist, and an 802 member since 1940, died on Jan. 27. Mr. Covell was also a member of AFM Local 16 (Essex County, New Jersey).

Mr. Covell was born in Paterson, New Jersey. He became an accomplished musician and traveled around the country playing his saxophone on riverboats and in clubs. He was a World War II veteran, proudly serving his country overseas in France and Germany and also entertaining his fellow troops with his music.

His day job in New Jersey was repairing instruments; at nights, he would perform. He played in the original “Tonight Show” and Dorsey Brothers bands, and played backup for entertainers such as Liza Minelli and Barbra Streisand.

He relocated to south Florida in 1969 with his wife. He was recognized by Selmer as the authorized repairman for the southeast U.S. and worked for Broward Band and All County Music, repairing woodwind instruments until last November. His friends and colleagues acknowledged his ability as an accomplished musician and his technical ability as an instrument repairman.

Mr. Covell is survived by his brother Joe; sisters Angelina Pacienza and Lucy Quatrucchi; sons Jack and Robert; nephew Joe; three nieces; grandchildren Aja, Kate, Jessie and Josh; daughters-in-law Laura and Jenny; brother-in-law Ben; sister-in-law Yetta Summer; and former daughter-in-law Rosemary Petrill.

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