Warren Weldon Clark, Jr.

Warren Weldon Clark, 69, died at The Forum at Knightsbridge in Columbus, OH, on Thursday, January 14, after a battle with esophageal cancer. A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Clark had resided in Columbus since 2002. Semi-retired, Warren wrote arrangements, worked as a music copyist, and played with local combos. He performed sacred music at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. He enjoyed substitute teaching music classes in Franklin County Schools. In his 50s, he earned a bachelor of music degree from Capital University’s Conservatory of Music, and a master of music degree from The University of Toledo. He graduated from Delgado Community College (LA) and Montebello High School (CA). A professional trumpet player since age 18, Warren pursued his career in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Mexico, Russia, Europe, and the Far East. He was principal trumpet in the debut of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Capital Theater in Sydney (Australia). Warren backed Frank Sinatra, The Isley Brothers, The Coasters, The Supremes, Bobby Rydell, and others. He played with the acclaimed Daly Wilson Big Band in Australia and on tour. He co-founded and wrote horn arrangements for the Australian band Afrika. During the 1980s and ‘90s, he led Warren Clark’s French Quarter Jazz Band in New Orleans. His ensembles performed at Jazz Fest, French Quarter Festival, Super Bowl festivities, and Mardi Gras gigs for the krewes of Comus and Rex, among others. His groups played for a myriad of corporate, convention, social, and other functions, including one feting President Clinton. His capabilities ranged from quiet reception music through elaborate themed productions such as mock jazz funerals opening or closing meetings and small Mardi Gras parades. He entertained for prestigious U.S. Embassy events in Vienna (Austria) and Cairo (Egypt). His combos appeared in iconic New Orleans venues such as Brennan’s, Arnaud’s, and Antoine’s. Warren was preceded in death by his mother Vera Leona Lindgren, his father Warren Weldon Clark, Sr., and his half-brother Jon Mack Clark. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Dredge Clark, his niece Melody Faith Clark-Curzon and grand niece Aria Noelle Curzon (both CA), and first cousins Susan Ames (TX), Jon Lindgren and LaVerne Lindgren Helein (both WI), Carolyn Cosart (OR), Richard Schulz, and Beverly Schulz Guthrie. A gathering celebrating Warren Clark’s life will be held on Saturday, February 6, between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. at SOUTHWICK-GOOD & FORTKAMP FUNERAL CHAPEL, 3100 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43202. The cemetery service will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions made payable to the Columbus Jazz Arts Group, in support of CJAG’s Columbus Youth Jazz Program, are encouraged. The address is 734 E. Long Street, Columbus, OH 43203; phone is 614-294-5200 x 107. Those who wish to donate to Vaughn Wiester’s Music Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County can do so online or by mail. Address is 1 S. Main Street, Mt. Vernon, OH 43050; phone is 740-392-3270.

Warren Weldon Clark, Jr.

July 3, 1946 - January 14, 2016