Larry Dunlap and Bobbe Norris Assistance Fund

Beloved SF jazz pianist LARRY DUNLAP and his wife, singer BOBBE NORRIS, are finding themselves thrust into a fast-approaching health and financial crisis, and I’m asking our community of friends to help provide some relief while they focus on healing and regaining independence.

Bobbe has been in declining health for some time. Untill now, Larry has been able to continue to earn a living performing/arranging/composing while also providing essential home-care for Bobbe. Since the beginning of the Pandemic, Bobbe’s been almost entirely homebound. The circumstance is dramatically worsening as Larry prepares for long deferred and increasingly critical heart bypass surgery. Larry will be out of circulation for about two months beginning in late July. Despite their best efforts to heal Bobbe to the point of trading roles to become Larry’s caretaker during recovery, Bobbe’s circumstance will require her to enter residential care while Larry rehabilitates - also in residential care. Through all of this, these accomplished artists will lose their income stream.

I know I’m preaching to the choir when I remind us that creating art is an essential part of humanity, and the disproportional sacrifice fine people like Larry and Bobbe make for art’s sake means a humble lifestyle. Now, as these artists finally emerge from two years of Covid-caused economic distress, they’re confronted with the additional calamity of failing health. Although they can and do take advantage of some limited assistance offered through music non-profits and social safety nets, they’ll need our additional help in the coming months and beyond.

I hope you’ll join me by contributing in whatever way possible to this GoFundMe effort to help Larry and Bobbe offset some of their lost income while Larry gets back on his piano bench. Proceeds are considered gifts and are not taxable income for the recipients. They’ll be able to use this money at their own discretion. I should note that Larry and Bobbe did not ask for this help, but they will surely benefit from our collective generosity.

With deep appreciation,

Rodman Marymor