2008
John Edward Greeley, 56, a jazz drummer and music teacher, died of lung cancer Nov. 4 at Sibley Memorial Hospital. He lived in
Washington.
Mr. Greeley played in venues throughout the Washington area, including Blues Alley, One Step Down and the King of France
Tavern.
He played with many national acts, including guitarist Charlie Byrd, and had a week-long engagement accompanying the
Smothers Brothers.
For several summers over the past 10 years, he played drums and was a staff member for the Augusta Heritage Center's
Swing Week music festival in Elkins, W.Va.
He taught privately and at Janney Elementary School in the District for more than 15 years, helping student drummers produce
holiday concerts and spring musicals.
He was a native Washingtonian. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School and Berklee College of Music in Boston. He often
spent Thanksgiving serving dinners at homeless shelters, and he volunteered with ministries to the homeless of St. Columba's
Episcopal Church in Washington.
Survivors include a sister and a brother.
-- Patricia Sullivan