US Representative Donald Payne Dead at 77

Representative Donald Payne, the U.S. state of New Jersey's first black congressman, and a dedicated advocate for democracy in Africa, has died after a battle with colon cancer.

Sources close to the 77-year-old Payne say he died Tuesday at a New Jersey hospital. Payne announced last month that he was undergoing cancer treatment.

The Democratic lawmaker had held his congressional seat since 1988 and was elected to a twelfth term in 2010.

Payne was well-known for his work on African issues, serving as ranking member of the House subcommittee on Africa and previously, chairman.

Payne visited the African continent many times for foreign affairs matters. During a visit to Somalia in April 2009, insurgents fired mortar shells toward the Mogadishu airport as he was departing the capital city by plane.

Payne left the airport safely, but there were civilian injuries from the mortar fire.

Payne had been in Somalia to meet with the president and prime minister on piracy, security and cooperation.

About a month later, he led a fast for Sudan's Darfur region, calling on Congress and the Obama administration to increase opposition to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, whom he accused of “unspeakable atrocities.”

In 2004, Payne helped win passage of a resolution declaring the killing in Darfur genocide, and he also authored the Sudan Peace Act, facilitating famine relief efforts.

Payne also was a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and headed the group's nonprofit foundation.

Legendary US Jazz Drummer Morello Dies at 82

Dave Brubeck Quartet at Congress Hall Frankfurt/Main (1967). From left to right: Joe Morello, Eugene Wright, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond. (Photo: Dontworry)

Legendary US Jazz Drummer Morello Dies at 82
Sunday, 13 March 2011

Joe Morello, the legendary jazz drummer of the Dave Brubeck Quartet popular in the 1950s and 1960s, has died. He was 82 years old.

Morello's relatives say the musician died Saturday at his home in New Jersey. A cause of death was not immediately available.

Joe Morello joined the quartet in 1956 and stayed with the group until it disbanded in 1967. The quartet experimented in unusual rhythms on a series of groundbreaking albums that earned it popular and critical acclaim.

Morello was asked to execute the challenging rhythms on such classic recordings as Take Five and Blue Rondo a la Turk.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Morello initially studied the violin before becoming a drummer in his teen years. In 1952 he moved to New York, where he played with many leading jazz musicians.

After Brubeck disbanded the quartet, Morello turned to helping young musicians and teaching them their craft.