Barbershop Loses Local Legend Jerry Orloff

January 16, 1931 ~ October 25, 2013

The world of barbershop lost one of its pillars — Jerry Orloff.

No one knows how many residents of Aptos were asked by Jerry, “Do you like to sing?” He asked people in grocery stores, gyms, doctor’s offices, the post office and anywhere/everywhere else. With that intro, Jerry brought over 200 men into the Barbershop Harmony Society (The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America or SPEBSQSA). For each new member, Jerry was awarded a “Man of Note” pin. Jerry had more pins than any other member of the Society.

— In harmony, Lawrence Stern

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Internationally known barbershop quartet singer and teacher, Jerry Orloff, passed away at his home in Aptos on October 25. He was 82. Jerry, who shared his passion for four-part harmony with his wife, Kim, was inducted into the International Barbershop Society’s Hall of Fame in 2011. As a member of the Mixed Metafour Quartet (a unique coed mixed barbershop quartet with his wife plus Bev Wesley of Aptos), Jerry performed and shared his love of singing throughout the world, with appearances in New Zealand, Australia, England, Sweden, Wales and Russia as well as across the United States.

In 2001, Jerry and Kim created the quartet Hao Yun Qui, with Brian and Holly Beck, of Dallas, Texas. This quartet made several trips there from 2001 to 2003, teaching at universities and senior organizations in Northern China. The quartet taught standard American songs in English as well as several native Chinese folk songs that they had arranged in barbershop style and learned in the original Mandarin.

Jerry was also a member of the local Santa Cruz Chapter of SPEBSQSA, also known as the Gold Standard Chorus. He participated in many of their shows (both in the chorus and with his quartet), as well as singing “Valengrams” every February, and Christmas carols in shopping centers every December.

Jerry also was a devoted father of four who shared his love for the outdoors and fishing with sons Dan, Randy, Mike and Barry. Jerry’s other passions included photography and anything Minnesota. He was an avid hockey fan, and was a play-by-play radio announcer for the St. Paul Saints in the early 1960’s. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Jerry moved with his family to Daly City, CA in 1963. He moved to Aptos in 1983.

Jerry’s family will join many local barbershop singers for a musical celebration of his life at 2pm on November 23 at Felton Community Hall, 6191 Hwy 9, Felton CA. Jerry’s harmonies also continue on in the lives of many barbershop singers throughout the world. If you would like to light a candle and share your condolences with his family, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com

Remembrances in his name may be made to Young Men in Harmony/Harmony Foundation International (www.harmonyfoundation.org) at 110 7th Ave North, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37203.