Our brightest musical star has moved on to celestial planes. David Shelander was born January 5, 1954 to Jean Martin Shelander and Charles W. Shelander in Gainesville, Texas. David died suddenly September 3, 2013 in Pensacola, Florida. David is survived by his mother, Jean (Martin) Brinkley and predeceased by father Charles W. Shelander and step-father, author, William Brinkley. David was devoted to and proud of his mother's intellect and accomplishments. She holds a Masters in Library Science. Their dinner conversation growing up for David was always filled with literature, books, talk of their trips to Broadway shows in N.Y. and London , music, travel, art and adventure. Author, William Brinkley, well known for his book, "Don't Go Near the Water" which later was a successful feature film, met Jean Shelander after her divorce while both worked at Life Magazine in New York City. She was later a career librarian and ran the library at the University of Texas, Pan American in Edinburgh, Texas. She lives in McAllen, Texas where she and Brinkley moved in the 1970's. David was a true Texan and had the boots to prove it. Educated at North Texas State's well-known jazz program in American colleges, he honed his craft and skills later to work on both coasts, Los Angeles, Ca. and New York, N.Y. and abroad and in Asia. His impressive past reflects eclectic, brilliant versatility and his immense talent in many styles and genres of music. Bands and groups David played with ranged from the Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinson, Clarence Gatemouth' Brown, and The Gap Band, The Rolling Stones, Keith Richards, Air Supply, the Ink Spots, Delbert McClinton, Eddie Cleanhead' Vinson, David Fathead' Newman, Arnett Cobb, Hubert Sumlin, Lowell Fulson, Albert Collins, Charles and Cyril Neville of the Neville Brothers, Roy Head and the Traits, The Supremes Featuring Kaaren Ragland, and Bonnie Raitt and her longtime bass player, Hutch Hutchinson whom David teamed with in Raitt's bands, and remained close friends of both. He joined Raitt and Hutchinson and the band in England this past summer for a Raitt band reunion/ personal meet/visit performance for Prince William before the birth of the first royal heir. His wife was too pregnant to attend. David did sessions with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Rick Derringer, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Lee Ritenour, Larry Coryell, Cornell Dupree, Tommy Bolin, Coco Montoya, Rosie Flores, John Prine, B.W. Stevenson, Daryl Smith of Motown fame, Dickie Betts of the Allman Brothers, Gary Talley of The Box Tops, Leo Nocentelli of the Meters and Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett of Little Feat. In the Jazz Field, David arranged and performed music with woodwind and brass luminaries Joe Farrell, Bob Berg, Lou Marini Jr, Pete Christlieb, Alvin Batiste, Buddy DeFranco, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddi Hubbard, Arturo Sandoval, Marvin Stamm, Sal Marques, Allen Vizzutti, Jack Sheldon and Carl Fontana. The list of famous singers graced by David's impeccable accompaniment support goes from Carmen McRae, an incomparable jazz great stylist, to Janiva Magness, Michelle Phillips, The Captain and Tennille, Broadway and Cabaret stars Lynda Carter, Ann Reinking, Betty Buckley, Bill Cosby, Bruce Willis, Michael Winslow, Stephanie Framer and Ashley Brown. Lastly, Brazilian singer Marcia Kern and David had recently recorded in Rio de Janeiro this past summer a seductive cut called "Du Brazil." His magic is still heard in many recordings, among them in the famous synthesizer whizzing' opening of "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" from his tenure in The Gap Band to so many sessions; no one really knows. Locally, he performed more than twenty-years and recorded "Perdido Beach", a postcard CD still found on Amazon.com with vocalist/performer Holly Shelton during their long reign as the featured house entertainment at the four-diamond Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Ala. He also was heard with the Pensacola Symphony, featured at many Jazz Society of Pensacola functions including a recorded event held in honor of Larry Beall's birthday. David enjoyed many sunsets with Larry and Kathy Beall, special friends. Over the years he played and recorded with instrumentalists, with local singers, Sally Rudd, his special muse, Kitt Lough, Kathy Lyons and other instrumentalists such as old-friends Ronnie Levine whom he had known since the 80's in Los Angeles, CA, Steve Gunter, Billy Garrett, James Adkins, Lucky Kelson The list is too long to present here. Forgive anyone overlooked. David performed on every continent and at most major venues including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Budokan in Tokyo, the Berlin Philharmonie and the Montreaux, Switzerland Jazz Festival to mention just a few. Later, he made many annual visits to Brazil to recharge his musical inspirations and research ethno-centric music and its' origins with New Orleans-based close friend, travel buddy, extraordinary pianist and musical historian, Tom McDermott. mcdermottmusic.com. Unable to attend due to being in Europe, he will miss his friend deeply and is here in spirit. Tom knew a side of David's brilliance few had the chance to share. Recently, Shelander had written a treatment for television that was accepted and bought by TNT and filmed as a pilot with ten-episodes ordered of his late step-father's novel, "The Last Ship" which will likely air next year on TNT. He had also written music for the show. His television credits also included credits on the soundtrack of Treme', a New Orleans-based show which McDermott also played on and countless sessions on both coasts and abroad. He had toured Asia several times with a Motown revue, the Temptations and other bands for short tours. He was heading out again the day after he was found so suddenly deceased. He and singer, Holly Shelton had played four-consecutive-nights and said goodnight not knowing it was their last earthly gig. David was intensely private yet was incredibly giving in a mentor role to those he saw special qualities in. An artist, visionary, pianist, guitarist, musician, writer and generous teacher on so many levels, he was widely known and loved by many friends in the Pensacola community as well as admired and respected by national and international artists such as Keith Richards and Ms. Raitt. His musical writing was flowing with more anticipated recordings and his association with protégé' and close friend, James Adkins, guitarist-entertainer, was flourishing with new ideas and material. David also adored his wife, Emily. Thanks to the Jazz Society of Pensacola and Emily for their help in our efforts for David. James Adkins will work to save what was already written and seeds planted. Shelander and Shelton were also to record some of his original songs in the near future with Lucky K Studio. David knew the Lord and said the Lord was, "alright with him," in our private conversations. Other close friends such as Mike Wollenberg who knew David from the Perdido Beach Resort days shared that their discussions often centered on spirituality and religion. Reared in the Methodist Church, he grew up listening to the old hymns and had a respect for church history and liturgy. He had recently performed for East Hill Baptist Church with comrade Adkins and had such positive feedback about what the experience had meant to him. On behalf of Mrs. Brinkley in Texas, who cannot attend her son's service due to health challenges, we ask for your prayers. You may visit Facebook group "Remembering David Shelander" for an avalanche of links, videos, hilarious stories and precious memories from lives he touched sharing from all over the world. We grieve for ourselves that our time here with him is over. As he once told me in a musical arrangement written for me, "We Will Be Together Again.," I believe and await that day. Deep gratitude goes to James Adkins, Mike Wollenberg and Sally Rudd for their loyal friendships, Gino Rosaria for playing the service and devoted help in the end, Don Snowden in the service and music planning, Kathy and Larry Beall, Emily Adkins and the Jazz Society of Pensacola and so many friends. The service will be Monday, September 30th in the capable hands of Dr. Ron Wilcoxson at East Hill Baptist Church. Thanks to the church's Pastor Dr. Ron, Jim and staff for their generosity in opening their doors and hearts for this celebration of an extraordinary life we feel ended too soon. David Shelander. There will be a musical jam celebration attended by probably every local and regional musician on the earth until the last note is played following the service. We will leave with a sense of victory knowing David is at peace and finally free to roam the heavenly universe in musical triumph and shine brilliance as our angel watching over his flock. Holly Shelton Snowden, MSW Holly@HollyShelton.com