George Addison West, 81, of DeLand, musician and jazz educator, died in hospice on Saturday, Jan. 19, after living with myeolodysplastic syndrome for several years.
Influencing countless students and colleagues throughout an academic career that spanned more than 50 years, he devoted his professional life to advocating for jazz education and celebrating a truly American art form.
Mr. West taught music theory and low brass and directed jazz ensembles at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas, the University of Calgary and James Madison University in Virginia, where he established and directed the jazz program for 25 years before retiring in 1996.
Mr. West joined the faculty of Stetson University's School of Music an adjunct professor and directed jazz studies and conducted the Stetson University Jazz Ensemble for 16 years, before recently retiring a second time.
Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made in Mr. West's name to James Madison University, Jazz Studies Program.