Farewell to Bruce Malament

Hi everyone,

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my long time friend and bandmate Bruce Malament passed away earlier this week. He was found on Thursday morning in his Long Beach apartment by his childhood friend Gary Laduca. Although the exact time of death is not known, he apparently died in his sleep. His heart failed, and it was a peaceful passing. Bruce had been experiencing weakness and shortness of breath for several months and a recent X-ray revealed a mass on his trachea. For the last 2 weeks he has been weighing various possibilities of treatment.

Bruce Malament "Funky Mal" was the most enthusiastic musician that I have ever known. His passion and love for music was apparent to anyone who worked with him or saw him perform, and his piano style was deeply rooted with soul and feeling. Fearless in his approach to any kind of music, Mal always explored the source of the artists who inspired him and presented his interpretation with the same authenticism. Whether it was jazz, blues, New Orleans R&B, rock or pop, he dug deep and made it work. He was a true desciple of the groove.

In my 20 plus years of personal and professional relationship with Bruce, I knew him to be a man of the highest integrity and loyalty, and I am so proud to count him as one of my dearest friends. His generosity of love, energy and encouragement was without limits, and his impact on my life as a man and as a musician cannot be measured. Mal was always there for his family and friends. Mal was family.

Bruce is survived by 2 sons, Ben and Daniel, and by his sister Lari. To Bruce, his sons were his source of pride and joy and he often talked about his dedication to them. Just last week Bruce, Ben and I did a gig together and it was the last time I saw him. He played great.

Details for a celebration of the life of Bruce are being organized, and I'll get that info to y'all.

Farewell, Funky Mal. You will be missed and never forgotten.

peace,

Dale

The funeral service for Bruce Malament will be held at 1:30 pm on Wed April 11 at:

Forest Lawn Glendale
1712 S Glendale Ave Glendale, Ca 91205
800-204-3131
www.forestlawn.com
The name of the church is "The Wee Kirk O' the Heather". It is the 1st church on the left up the hill. The front gate attendant will give directions and a map.

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