For nearly nine years, Ron W. Luque and his wife Marie fought a silent battle against Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a disease that slowly takes away the ability to communicate. But before the diagnosis, and even during the hardest days of the journey, there was always music.
A Friendship Born in Rhythm
Before Sedric established himself in the New York jazz scene, earning praise from All About Jazz as “one of New York’s hidden treasures” , his musical journey began in Paris. After moving to the Big Apple in 1999 , Sedric met Ron and Marie in a deeply organic way: they were regulars at a Manhattan restaurant where he and guitarist Ron Jackson played as a duo.
In Sedric’s eyes, Ron and Marie were inseparable. He remembers Ron as a man with “100% positive energy”—someone who was always smiling and loved having a good time. Sedric fondly recalled that even though the restaurant wasn’t a dance club, Ron and Marie would often be found dancing to the music.
The connection went beyond the stage. Sedric described Ron as genuinely caring, always asking how others were doing. When Sedric became a parent, Ron and Marie were there to support his family , deepening a friendship that led to the couple frequently hiring Sedric to play for their private events.
A Joyful Tribute in Temecula
When Ron passed away, Sedric didn’t hesitate. Knowing how much Ron and Marie loved music, he immediately traveled to California for the memorial. The service evolved into a four-hour jam session featuring Sedric on saxophone, Ron Jackson on guitar, and vocalist Leslie Harrison.
The goal of that performance was to recreate the late-night magic of the Manhattan restaurant where they all first met. While the context of a memorial made the music feel emotionally heavy , the intimate, small-combo sound served as a powerful tribute. It was during this profound musical gathering that the idea for a full-length tribute album was born.
Bringing Ron to the Studio
When it came time to record the Sound of Silence album, the atmosphere in the studio was entirely unique. Sedric noted that Marie brought framed pictures of Ron and placed them throughout the recording room. For the musicians, it was a beautiful anchor, helping them balance their professional focus with the deep, emotional purpose of honoring their friend.
Even though the album features a larger ensemble , Sedric deliberately maintained the melodic, lyrical playing style that Ron and Marie had fallen in love with during those early duo performances. When recording the upbeat, swing tracks, Sedric specifically pictured Ron and Marie dancing, ensuring that Ron’s joyful, celebratory energy was permanently captured in the music.
You can help bring this beautiful 24-track tribute album to the world and support families on the frontlines of PPA.
100% of the project’s focus goes toward PPA advocacy and funding in-home soundboards for family caregivers. When words fade, the music remains.
