Film Tribute of George Mesterhazy

Video Pays Tribute to Cape Pianist George Mesterhazy

Ocean City resident John Thornton produced the 21-minute film.

John Thornton — the Ocean City Homes resident who recently completed a four-part film series on the effects of Superstorm Sandy on the island and its inhabitants — recently completed a new film.

In his words:

One of the real legends of Cape May County was the brilliant jazz pianist George Mesterhazy, who presided for years at the piano in the Merion Inn in Cape May. George and his romantic partner, Vicky Watson, owned and ran the Merion Inn.

George was a fixture at his piano bench when he wasn't traveling the world with such legends as Shirley Horne. Anyway, George died suddenly last April at the tragically young age of 59. More than 3,000 people attended his memorial service. I was looking at some old hard drives and started watching clips I had shot of George over the years and thought it would be a good idea to make a film to remind people of what a rare treasure we had living in our midst.

His musical talent seemed boundless as was his love of jazz and his fellow musicians. Everybody loved George. I don't usually cry when editing my films, but it was impossible not to, as I watched these old clips I took of George Mesterhazy — in his room.

 Video Pays Tribute to Cape Pianist George Mesterhazy - Ocean City, NJ Patch