My first memory of Jack was at an all ages show at one of the Penn frats and he was drunkenly moshing in the pit. Then at one point he lay down on the stage and seemed to take a nap. He later got off the stage and returned to the pit. His size made it intimidating but soon it was obvious he was just having a good time and all was good. As most people in Philadelphia, Jack lived in my house rent free for a while when he was dating one of my housemates. Jack was a force to watch during Scab Cadillac. He had a great presence as a front man and they were always a great band to see live. I feel fortunate that I ran into Jack on one of his last times back in Philadelphia – he had a way of making you feel like seeing you was the best possible thing that could happen to him that day. It was devastating that he accidentally drowned in California, it’s still hard to believe that it was even possible.
Jack’s family released this collection of songs with donations going to a fund they set up to send underprivileged children to Cummington, MA’s Shire Village — the summer camp Jack attended and later worked at as a counselor. I couldn’t find the camp fund online any longer but please donate to Shire Village Camp in Jack’s name if you want to support the intention of these songs being released.
Photos of Jack taken by Toni Farina
01 – Love Inspiration
02 – One U Will
03 – Grateful
04 – Wildflowers
05 – Voices (live)
06 – Saint of San Francisco (live)
07 – When We Return
08 – Orange
09 – Hands & Time
10 – Shine
12 – Gone for Good
13 – When We Return (reprise)
14 – Bonus track