John G. Blowers Jr., of Westbury, the last surviving drummer from the great swing era of the 1930s died at the age of 95 on July 17, 2006. He had been suffering from numerous health problems in the past year. It was only in the last two years that his illness slowed him down after more than 74 years as a professional musician.

Johnny recorded with Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sidney Bechet, Billie Holiday, Bobby Hacket, Don Byas, Red Norvo, Perry Como, Bunny Berigan, Bud Freeman, Dave Newcomb, Clyde Newcomb, Judy Garland, Eddie Fisher, Mel Tormé, Teddy Wilson, Eddie Condon, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Paul Whiteman, Bing Crosby and most importantly Frank Sinatra, who chose Johnny to be his drummer in 1943.

Johnny was born in Spartansburg, SC, on April 21, 1911. He studied drums and other percussion instruments at the urging of his parents and eventually performed in school orchestras and local youth bands. In 1936 and 1937 he recorded with the Bob Pope Band that was based in North Carolina. He played drums and even recorded his only vocal on Rockin Chair. In 1937 he ventured to New York City where he felt he had a chance to make a name for himself. It was the height of the new swing era. He landed a job with Bobby Hackett's small band at Nick's in Greenwich Village, performing with such luminaries as Eddie Condon and Pee Wee Russell. Nick's was the place to be seen in 1937 and by April 1938 he had joined Bunny Bengari's big band. One of his favorite recordings from this period was the Wearing of the Green, a swing arrangement of the old Irish melody. Later in 1938 he recorded with Teddy Wilson (Don't Be That Way) and also performed with Jan Savitt and Ben Bernie. Bernie featured Blowers on an original tune entitled Drummer's Day, which was recorded in 1939. Tired of all the traveling he decided to settle down and get married. He and his wife Joan were married for more than 40 years until her death in the early '80s.

In order to stay local, Johnny joined the studio bands of the network radio stations and had the opportunity to perform with hundreds of artists. He continued to record prolifically. In 1942 he worked with Frank Sinatra, who at that time was a popular but little known vocalist with Tommy Dorsey. Frank had just left the Dorsey Band and was featured on a late night radio show that included Blowers as drummer with the studio band. Upon leaving the program, Sinatra mentioned that they would work together again. Frank Sinatra summoned Johnny for his first radio series. Blowers recorded extensively with Sinatra from 1944 to 1951 whenever Sinatra was on the East Coast. Johnny can be heard on the original Columbia labels versions of Saturday Night Is the Loneliest Night of the Week, Nancy, Night and Day, All of Me, I've Got a Crush on You, Hello Young Lovers and more than 70 others. Johnny worked with Sinatra on The Hit Parade and can be seen in the early short film where Frank sings Night and Day. In the early 1950s he appeared on Sinatra's television show.

Johnny always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Possibly it was his drumming that helped make Judy Garland's On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, Buddy Clark's Linda, Louis Armstrong's Blueberry Hill or Perry Como's Prisoner of Love such big hits. Johnny continued as staff musician for CBS, NBC and ABC through television's early days in the 1950s.

He spent nearly a year at Eddie Condon's Jazz Club in 1947 and briefly owned his own club, the Club Blowers, in Queens, the same year. In the early 1960s, as work for studio bands and jazz musicians diminished and with a wife and three children to support, he accepted an offer to host his own radio show on Long Island where he would play music and do interviews. Johnny recorded interviews with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Gene Krupa and many others. Fortunately, he retained the tape recordings of these interviews from 1962 to 1965. In the 1970s the renewal of interest in traditional jazz and swing music led to many gigs at festivals and clubs. He spent a number of years in the Broadway show Follies as one of the musicians who performed on stage with a small jazz band.

His wife Joan died in October 1983 and his eldest son, J. Garrett Blowers III, died in September 1990. Johnny recorded an album, Johnny Blowers - Those Giants of Jazz, and continued touring the world with The Harlem Blues and Jazz Band. He joined the band in 1986. Johnny spent the next 20 years with the band until the autumn of last year when he became too ill to continue. The Harlem band is the subject of a recent documentary. Johnny also appeared in a rock video by the band They Might Be Giants (They'll Need a Crane) in the early 1990s, Beck Beats and Rim Shots is Johnny Blowers's story as told to Warren Vache Sr. and published by Scarecrow Press (1997). He is well-remembered for his long solo rendition of Caravan, his signature piece.

No matter how the years took their toll, Johnny always gave the rhythm section a wonderful lift, inspiring his fellow musicians to swing their hardest and brought audiences to their feet. He always believed that a drummer should support the band from the bottom. Rhythm and a rich musical sense were his natural gifts and his gifts to the world.

His sister, Catherine Ivy, survives him as well as his youngest son Ronald, his daughter-in-law Frances, his daughter Deborah Lewis and her husband Arne and his grandsons, Robin and Owen.

Arrangements were made by the Donohue Cecere Funeral Home, Westbury. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice Care Network in his memory.

Jane Schiffer Lounsbury Schaberg died peacefully on July 22, 2006 at The Greens in Wilton, CT after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 87. Jane was born 1918 in Freeport, third daughter of Henry and Emily Schiffer. Her godfather was Knickerbocker beer baron and NY Yankees owner (1914-1939) Jacob Ruppert. Jane's grandfather was official baker to the King of Denmark. Her parents died when she was 7 and she was raised by older sister Frances Wells and family.

Jane attended Freeport public schools, graduating as Salutatorian of the Freeport High School Class of 1937. Her lifelong best friend, the late Grace Sussner Anton, was Valedictorian.

After working for Metropolitan Life in Manhattan, Jane married Willard Lounsbury, also of Freeport, in 1942 while Lounsbury was on active duty with the Army Air Corps. They raised three children, Jay, Ann, and Glenn, while living in Carle Place, and attending St. Mary's Episcopal Church. The family moved to Norwalk, CT in October 1956.

After a 1971 divorce, Jane married Bill Schaberg, also of Norwalk. She worked for several years at the Save the Children Foundation and volunteered at the American Cancer Society for over 10 years. Schaberg died in 1995 and Jane moved to The Greens in 1998.

Jane loved raising her family, homemaking, reading, activities with family and friends, and travel. She is survived by her three children, seven stepchildren, 17 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, and first husband. On July 26, her oldest son, Jay Lounsbury, led many friends and relatives in a celebration of Jane's full and fruitful life at Bouton Funeral Home, Wilton, CT. Memorial contributions can be sent to the American Cancer Society or the Conn. Special Olympics, 2666 State St., Hamden, CT 06517, Att: CLASP Program.