DUKES FANS:

By now I am sure that most of you have heard about the tragic death of Zan Gardner in an auto accident last week. She was blindsided by a van and suffered an instantaneous death, according to police accounts of the accident. I don’t know what to say-it was such a shock and I am still not totally used to it. Those of you who have heard Zan sing know that she didn’t just sing a song-she caressed it, made love to it, held it tight, and brought new meaning to everything she sang.

She was great about picking material, and she gave her all every song and every performance. I am just glad that so many of us had a chance to let her know how much she moved us and meant to us at the benefit a few weeks ago-she told many folks that she had no idea that she was that important to so many people. I am so glad that we had that opportunity to show how much she did and does mean to us, both as a performer and as a person.

She was a very, very special person, and we were fortunate to have her among us for as long as we did. We will miss you, Zan (The Sunday Phila. Inquirer had a wonderful obituary for Zan. If you missed it, there will be copies at our Mermaid gig this Friday).

Friday, May 11-The Mermaid Inn-7673 Winston Rd in Chestnut Hill (where Germantown Ave and Mermaid Lane meet) 215-247-9797. It will be strange to play this place without Zan there. This is where many of us first heard Zan, and she regularly appeared here with her own groups and sitting in with the Dukes, Lava Blue, Randy Lippincott and others.

In addition to our regular sets, we will do a special tribute to Zan, including playing a short set of songs that she did when she sat in with the Dukes over the years.

We love playing this place, and with the memory of Zan, this promises to be a special night. So come on out and hear the Dukes at the now SMOKE FREE Mermaid Inn this Friday. Sets start at 9:30PM- $10 admission

We have other gigs scheduled-our schedule for 2007 is filling up. We will be back at the Waterfront Blues and BBQ benefit for the Cathedral Kitchen in June, North by Northwest, and more.

Please go to our website and check out our schedule and get phone numbers and directions to the gigs.

And thank you all so much for all of your support. If you have any feedback you wish to share, send a note either here or via the website.

I would love to hear from you. So, come on out. Dance, make happy and party with the Dukes. We’d love to see you.

Celebrate spring with the Dukes.

John Colgan-Davis