John Vincent Carbone, 89, passed away on April 7, 2025 at Mount Sinai West Hospital from complications of Parkinson’s disease, in the loving presence of his only child, Marina Relyea and his longtime friend Veronique Jeanmarie. He had been a member of Local 802 since 1957. John was a talented bassist and composer who enjoyed a life dedicated to music. He lived every day with music at the center. When he wasn’t performing or practicing, he was composing, a passion he took on in his later years. Another musical passion was studying the music of Bach, Pierre Boulez, Arnold Schoenberg and Elliott Carter. His favorite jazz artists were Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and Django Reinhardt. His friends and colleagues remember him as a unique and talented bassist as well as a lovely and kind human being.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, John grew up in a modest household of Italian descent. He started his musical training as a teenager when a salesman came to the family home selling Hawaiian guitars and lessons. John begged his mother for the instrument — and that was the beginning of his musical life. He later switched to bass and started touring in jazz groups soon after.

In the summer of 1955 at age 20 he was a Tanglewood Music Center Fellow, which deeply inspired him. As a mostly self-taught musician he had exposure to his first classical instruction there. He went on to study with Frederick Zimmerman. He had a deep interest in music theory and studied the Schillinger System at Berklee College of Music. A versatile musician, he played with many of the jazz greats of his time including Chet Baker, Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Bobby Hackett, Dave McKenna, Mike Renzi and Tony Bennett. He served as principal bass in the Rhode Island Philharmonic, and went on to have positions in the Buffalo Philharmonic, New Orleans Symphony, Denver Symphony, Detroit Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra under George Szell.

He moved permanently to New York City in 1970 and embraced the city and his life there as a freelance musician. He was a member of the American Symphony, the Long Island Philharmonic, the Caramoor Festival and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. He freelanced with many local ensembles as well as Broadway musicals.

John’s other interests included Yankees baseball. A dedicated fan, he waited eagerly for each season to begin and followed their games closely. He could often be found watching them on TV when he wasn’t enjoying his musical endeavors.

John was also an animal lover, especially of dogs and birds. He was an avid reader of non-fiction and of books on spirituality. With a deep connection to Catholicism and Buddhism, he practiced Qigong, prayer and meditation throughout his life.

In addition to his daughter, he leaves behind his son-in-law John Relyea, his grandsons Joshua and Christopher Relyea, and his ex-wife Barbara Santoro.

A celebration of life for John will be held at St. Malachy’s Church (239 West 49th Street) on July 9 at 2pm.

Obituary submitted by Marina Relyea.