Bruce Malament , keyboard player and musician died last week at his home in Ventura California. Longtime friend and musical accompaniest to Terry Reid, Bruce will be sadly missed by Terry and his fans.
Bruce's consummate musicianship and steadfast support has been central to many of Terry's recent successful performances. His superb keyboard playing and musical arrangements have been a delight to witness and much remarked upon by Terry fans.
The few times I met Bruce on his trips over with Terry I found him a delightful warm and decent guy who clearly had a love of music wired in to the very centre of his being. The minute his fingers stroked the keys he went to another time another place as the music flowed out of him. He was the kind of musician who when he started playing enticed you along on a musical journey that left you waking up as if from a dream you didn't want to end. Effortlessly switching styles and improvising he was as accomplished belting out a bar room blues as he was giving a new twist or two to a Cole Porter classic
Any chance to sit and play he took, witness the photos below of Bruce backstage in 2005, a beat up old piano in the dressing room, Bruce couldn't resist, get's a hold and conjures up a magical medley with Terry crooning along.
I'll leave it to others who knew him better to fill in a fuller picture of Bruce but for now I'm just posting up some of the less formal pictures I've snapped at UK gigs over the last few years.
When people go, as we all will, the best we can do for them and those they leave behind, is remember them in life and celebrate the person that they were and the person they remain in our thoughts, memories and hearts.

Feel free to send in comments and thoughts which I'll intersperse with the pictures ( email kedunc@gmail.com )
Bruce is survived by sons Daniel & Ben and sister Lori to whom the deepest of sympathy.

Donations, remembrances to Malament Family C/O Donna Vellekamp , 161 McKinley St , Closter, New Jersey, 07624 , USA.

Click on the photos for enhanced view


Bruce on grand Bristol 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Backstage Bristol 2005

Passing time before the gig

Having met Bruce in 2005, in a little rehearsal room in Kings Cross - we were rehearsing with Terry Reid for the Glastonbury Festival. We all immediately found a musical rapport with him, and took an instant liking to this warm, friendly individual who had just got off a long plane journey only hours previously.
Apart from being a really, really top piano-player, he also had a musical authority which we all found it very easy to trust, since it clearly came from knowing what he was doing, and which we all relied on quite heavily since we had little rehearsal time and much music to learn.
The gigs, then and since, were a real pleasure, in large measure because of Bruces' unflappable guidance and leadership. A Terry Reid gig can go off in all sorts of directions, so it takes broad shoulders and a quick mind to carry the MD position.
Offstage, he was funny, kind and always positive. He was a complete music nut, and we had many great conversations with him about anything from Professor Longhair to Bartok, always with deep understanding, limitless enthusiasm and pleasure.
I shall remember him like this: rocking at the piano like a god, while we rock alongside him, with Terry leading from the front, and everyone having the best time.
Sad to see him go, happy to have known him.
The Band - Mark Smith, Dzal and Ash Soan

Arriving Frome 2006

Ronnie Scotts 2005

Frome 2006

On a rest day on the last tour we (Terry, Bruce, Annette, my wife Jane and I) called into see to Julie who's B and B Bruce and the band stayed at during Glastonbury 2005. Julie is a music teacher and has a grand piano. The look of eager delight on Bruce's face when he saw it was a picture. He clearly just had to play it and seconds later he was. As you say the music just flowed out of him and very soon Terry was crooning along. Magical stuff! It was a privelege to be there. - Steve Mansbridge

For six summer weeks in the early 90s, I got to hear Bruce play my songs every night, and got to hang with Bruce every day. Now, that's what I call a tour. His talent and generosity of spirit will not be forgotten - Russ Buchanan

I am stunned - haven't been on TRT for a while and can't quite believe what I've just read. Bruce was a legend, a superb musician who will be sadly missed. I had the pleasure of meeting him 3 times and he was a true gent and mesmerising to watch - just how performers should perform. - Kelly Ambrosini

 

Dingwalls 2006

and again

Some musical joy and fun Ronnie Scotts 2005

So sad to hear this news.Bruce,what a gentleman,storyteller and musician. Spent some nice times together. Last year a shopping and sightseeing tour of Edinburgh with Bruce,Terry and Annette what laughter Bruce trying on Scotish tam/beret. Always remembered. Good night mate - Steve and Mags