Very sad...
So many fond memories...
We are so grateful of your inspiring ideas, advices and suggestions when Cafe OTO was started.
Such a big contribution in the music world.
Please rest in peace with amazing sounds and music you loved...
Thank you Victor!
Your seat is always reserved in the first row!!

Sad to hear of Victor's death. He was a good guy and very supportive of the music he believed in. Always great to share a conversation with. He will be missed

Victor was one of a kind and in any other country would be celebrated on the back of a bank note. My fondest memory perhaps is when he fell asleep on my shoulder during an AMM gig at the Architectural Association, the music having lulled him into a stupor. A great listener. A great raconteur. A great human being. RIP.

I cried yesterday when I read of Victor's passing.

I did not know Victor for many years but he had a huge impact on my life.

Victor had an infectious passion for and was a champion of music, especially improvised music. We were introduced by a mutual friend. We met at a gig (Avreeayl Ra at Vortex I think) and although we had a nearly thirty-year age difference, he didn’t hold it against me and kindly took me under his wing. He taught me a lot. About Louis Armstrong (and his favourite live version of Hello Dolly), about Marion Brown and about being on time for dinner (fortunately he only told me off once!).

The single most amazing music listening experience I have ever had in my life was listening to Springtime Again with Victor in his study (we shared a visceral love for John Gilmore). The beauty and emotion of the extended silence after the song finished will stay with me forever.

Such a shame the world won’t get to read your manuscript in final form. I will miss listening to music in your study (in silence) with you and learning about your unique filing system.

Rest in power dear friend. Say hi to John for me.

I'm one of Victor's sons. It's very moving to see all the different memories people have of my father. I would just like to mention that the funeral will be next Thursday, details are given here: https://www.facebook.com/634579673/posts/10160179301994674/

What sad news. Where would we all have been without Victor? And certainly where would I have been without Victor... Those endless cups of tea with recycled tea bags at Avondale Park Gardens, a roll up with liquorish paper... A really lovely, profoundly knowledgeable and generous man...

I remember reeling back, ears bleeding, from the onslaught of the Borbetomagus saxophones at Café Oto, to see Victor, dapper in suit and tie, much nearer the eye of the storm, face transfixed by his endearing grin. He told me he never missed a gig of theirs... what ears he had! — everything from ‘30s big bands to Cage and AMM, Ra to the rawest noise. He often turned out for very young, new-to-the-scene free improvisers, having an intense curiosity as to what was coming next. A lovely man, who will be much-missed.

The funeral celebration, at which Evan Parker and Eddie Prevost spoke informatively and heart-warmingly, will apparently be online shortly, and up for a month or so.

If there are any off-cuts from that excellent piece by Phil England I for one would be delighted to read them.

Will miss you being around Victor and the amazing information that was in your
head which made conversation interesting and a cut above the average.
Brigid and Laurie Scott Baker