R.I.P., Arthur Goldstein

I heard the sad news this morning from a post late Thursday night… musician, songwriter, teacher, local legend Arthur Goldstein has passed on. I have memories of drawing him at arts fest before I knew him, of a friend telling me he took lessons from Arthur back in my very early days in State College. And it was a great pleasure to have him and his band Archie Blue come on The Homegrown Show, was it 2013? And again a couple years ago with bandmate and photographer Chris Younken to chat about jazz. (Thank you, Chris, for letting me use this photo from that interview.) It was wonderful to hear him speak as Arthur thought deeply. Arthur called in a couple times to my show and I never told him how honored I was that he would tune in sometimes. The last time I saw him play was summer 2019 in Bellefonte and he was great. Arthur’s passing makes me stop what I am doing, as I think about him and everyone he touched with his music and friendship. RIP, Arthur! I am so glad I knew you; thank you for your music and kindness as a human being.
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Here is a quote I am taking from June 14, 2013 CDT article:

Younken described Goldstein as a true artist, who approaches his craft with the highest level of integrity.

“Arthur doesn’t fake music, he lives for the music – not for money or to be on a stage but to let the audience feel every note as deeply as he does,” Younken said. “I personally believe he is one of State College’s best kept secrets. He is a local music treasure. I know of no one else around here or regionally who can pull off classical, jazz and rock/blues, all at a high level.”