Downbeat

Turner also would jump on the bandstand and play drums with his good arm. The playing even retained some of Turner's signature sound. "That, to me, exemplified what Ben's spirit was about," says Porter. "Ben was determined he was going to continue performing. He was a strong old cat. Ben would get up there on the stage, and -- let's face it -- it was mainly spirit and heart that were coming through, because he didn't have that much of a voice. He kind of knew it. He'd work out a chorus or two, but in the end it was just Ben's heart coming through. That was Ben."

Turner was more than a presence in jazz clubs, though; he was also a promoter of the music. His friends say he received two grants from the Cultural Arts Council of Houston-Harris County to present jazz concert series. The first took place last year, and Turner was scheduled to present another, the Pan-African Festival at Miller Outdoor Theatre, on May 27. That concert became a jam session dedicated to Turner's memory.

"His local goal was to [present jazz] as often as possible," says Henschen. "He [wanted to] take his concept of jazz, which he felt was going to be lost on young people unless people went out and did education, and take some of the better musicians out to places like St. James Episcopal Church. His concerts locally had an effect on the audience. They were effective concerts."

Turner's ultimate goal was to take the concept nationally. Turner thought, Why couldn't the best local jazz musicians get together, tour the country on an arts grant and get paid to present the best Houston had to offer? "He always believed the birthright of a great jazz musician was to be paid," Henschen says.

The wake and funeral for Turner were held on May 25. In the tradition of jazz, a jam session took place at the wake for about two hours, and many of Houston's top names took part. "He would have enjoyed that because he was always trying to get all the guys together for one big session, and they did turn out," says Pinson. "Why does it always have to be at a funeral that guys get together?"

Reportedly hundreds of people showed up for Turner's services. He was interred at the cemetery where Cobb and legendary Houston bandleader Milt Larkin are buried. Turner is also survived by two grandchildren. His impact on the Houston jazz scene and on those who loved him will also survive.