A GoFundMe page has been launched to raise funds for Vic Juris after friends of the jazz guitarist learned he was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer. Currently, Juris is at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey receiving treatment.
The fundraising effort – donate here – was started by two friends of Juris, 65, who is best known for his work alongside saxophonist David Liebman.
Saxophonist Gunnar Mossblad and fellow guitarist Dave Stryker reached out to the jazz community at large on behalf of Juris and his wife, Kate Baker, on June 27.
They hope to raise $50,000. As of Thursday afternoon just over $22,000 had been donated.
“Vic does have some medical insurance, it only covers part of his needed treatment. It will be a long recovery before he’ll be able to work again so he needs help with his living expenses,” the musicians said in a statement. “Vic really needs us…”
Juris was diagnosed with liver cancer on June 14 following a week of unexplained fatigue he had experienced while performing. It’s unknown when Juris will be released from the hospital.
“Due to complications, we don’t yet know when Vic will be able to go home, to continue treatment, and work towards recovery, but we’re praying it will be soon,” according to the statement.
Juris started recording in 1975, first appearing on Eric Kloss’ album Bodies’ Warmth. Since then he has performed with Lee Konitz, Peggy Stern, Benny Waters, Jeanie Bryson, Joe Locke, and others. He is also an educator—having taught at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, Lehigh University, and Rutgers University—and the author of two highly regarded instructional books for guitar, Inside/Outside and Modern Chords.
