Donald Maus has left the band.
Facing an untenable future Donald chose his own path. He left us, all of us saddened by his departure but forever enriched by the music he created, shared and taught. A friend to all he encountered, his reach has been far and wide and he leaves the world a better place for having hauled that bass guitar from gig to gig across the state, country and world.
Donald was born July 11, 1952 in San Mateo, California to June McIntosh and William Donald Maus Jr. He attended Menlo School, Cate School, UC Berkeley and College of Marin, studying music. Don launched his professional musical career in 1971 as an original member of the Blue Bear Waltzes School of Music, an 18-piece Rock and Roll Band and school in San Francisco, CA. Living in Marin County in the 70’s and 80’s he was deeply involved with the thriving Bay Area music scene, playing in bands with Chris Hayes and eventually introducing him to future bandleader Huey Lewis. Donald taught jazz at a summer workshop at Stanford University, he duo’d with Ray Scott, played with Pee Wee Ellis and lunched with Stan Getz, getting the lowdown on the scene.
Donald was also a 2nd generation member of the Bohemian Club in San Francisco, and looked forward to his summer sojourns to the Bohemian Grove playing with many a talented and great musician.
In 1980 he married Trisha Llorenz in San Anselmo, CA and soon after they followed his brother and sister, moving to the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana. When Trisha’s daughter, Catana (Cate) was 11 years old he adopted her and became her forever dad. Catana would come to say that he was the BEST dad, patient, accepting and non-judgmental, giving her unconditional love and friendship
Donald spent his first 20 years in Montana feverishly fly fishing, golfing and playing music. In 2002, Donald was introduced to Deborah Kunkel and her husband and musical partner, Jason Hicks. They soon formed the Joan Zen band. The trio began performing at the new Bitterroot Brewing Co. The gigs soon created an exceptionally hot music scene, bringing folks from all over Montana to revel in great music at the favorite local hotspot. In short order the group was playing for and supporting hundreds of non-profit and for-profit events and celebrations. Always willing to step up and sit in, Don played with many other notable bands including The Ed Norton Big Band, Montango, The Teller Refugees, Kirby and the Attachments, the Montana Jazz All-Stars and many a jazz duo, trio, and quartet.
Playing thousands of shows across several states over the last two decades, Don played with musicians in almost every genre including; jazz, funk, soul, country, bluegrass, pit orchestra at Missoula Children’s Theater and the Missoula Symphony Orchestra. Donald was also the go-to studio session bass player, appearing on countless recordings and CD releases. In addition to all his performing, he taught bass and mentored many of the up-and-coming musicians. Donald had perfect pitch an innate gift he used in his playing and his teaching, a gift to all who played with him. He was continually attending and supporting the live music happening around the area. Don’s influence on both musicians and the fans who love them can never be fully measured. His generosity of time and talent with both the elders and youth around him was a life-long trait. The overarching sentiment of musician and friend alike is that their friendship with Donald or a connection he made was a positive life changing event.
Donald fully appreciated nature; a passion instilled at an early age by his mother. Donald felt deeply about protecting the Bitterroot Valley that he had adopted as his home. He supported from inception the Teller Wildlife Refuge in Corvallis, MT created by Otto and Anne Teller, ardent environmentalists from the San Francisco area. He served there as president, and was on the board for many years.
In 1991, Donald met Karen Moore at the Lonesome Dove in Stevensville and they began their long-distance courtship. They married in 1997 at the Teller Wildlife Refuge and settled in Karen’s ranch outside Hamilton.
Don is survived by his wife Karen Moore of Corrales, NM, Hamilton, MT; daughter Catana Miller, grandson Daniel and granddaughter Elle of Missoula, MT; his sister Nancie Schumacher of Stevensville, MT; his brother Gordon Maus (Quinty Smith) of Hamilton; niece Jennifer Kirby (Ben) of Missoula; niece Meghan Maus-McVey (Patrick)of Big Sky, MT; nephew Willie Maus (Chelsea)of Missoula and several cousins, grand-niece and nephews around the country.
A celebration of Donald’s well-lived life will be held on his birthday July 11, 2022 at the Slack Barn on the Teller Wildlife Refuge.
Any memorial donations can be made in his name to:
The Bitterroot School of Music; www.bitterrootschoolofmusic.org,
Teller Wildlife Refuge; www.tellerwildlife.org or
Montana Public Radio; www.mtpr.org
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