Thank you, Chip, for everything you taught me! You are an amazing person, and you inspired me to pick back up the guitar! I remember seven years ago sitting in a small, tiny little room with you at Fazio's Music in St. Louis, jamming out to The Beatles. You were such an amazing guitarist as well as a teacher who showcased extreme patience and dedication. You will truly be missed, although the best part is that you will remain in my heart forever and ever!

-Blessings Your Friend Zach-

What a great guy! Thinking and remembering him this month has reminded me how much I miss him....

Chip was essentially a founding member of the music program at Next Generation Fellowship - Brentwood Christian Science Church. Back around 2010, our home-grown musicians Scott and Blair started taking guitar lessons to improve their work as worship leaders / song leaders - soon, he was invited to play and it just changed the entire vibe. Chip's deep spiritual be-ing and uplifting musicianship just lifted the whole atmosphere - got us to holy, much more often. It was my deep privilege and joy to sing with him and have him coach me, as well as share spiritual insights into the nature of music-making and life-living. It was also a joy to have him be one of the session musicians on a CD I produced where he performed everything from jazz solos to Santana-like shredding!

Chip - the blessings you have imparted live on in the hearts and souls of those who crossed your path.  We miss you, but you are with us in spirit as we continue to connect with the Music.

Pictured below: Mike, Lola and Chip posing after church around 2014.

Chip played guitar at my church on a regular basis for a few years.
He was a really nice guy and was always glad to see you.  He will be sorely missed in his transition.

I first met Chip when he was eight years old. My cousins, Chris and Randy Hyman, and I were forming a band and we sought a drummer. We auditioned a few before Chris thought of Chip. We met at his parents' house to see if Chip was a good fit. Boy, was he ever. Here was this eight-year-old kid with a cherubic face, a full drum set, and a killer can-do attitude. He stunned me with his talent and ability. The key to passing the audition was to play the drum solo in a popular rock hit at the time: "Wipe Out," by The Surfaris. Chip blew us away! He nailed it, as he did every song in the repertoire of our newly formed band, The Red Sash. It's a challenging audition piece, too. I couldn't add the link here, but it's on YouTube, if anyone wants to check it out. Really, all I can say is, my association with, regard for, and memory of Chip Katz are at the highest level. He was a loveable, dependable, and endlessly creative person whom I wish I had gotten to know as an adult. I was only 12 or 13 at the time! May his memory be for a blessing! 

My heartfelt condolences to Chip's family.  His gentle spirit and musical talent touched many hearts along his journey in life and he'll be greatly missed.  I'm fortunate to have some wonderful memories of playing music with Chip in jazz band and other musical endeavors.  Whenever I saw him out and about over the years, he always had a smile and brightened my day.    

I had the opportunity to play with Chip on a couple hundred gigs over the years. He was the first musician that I felt comfortable playing with after I took up the piano. His musical presence  always allowed all the space that I needed to grow musically and his great  playing added so much and taught me so much. Restrictions kept me from seeing Chip in his last weeks here, but we got to talk several times ... and  declare the depth of our friendship for one another, and for this I am grateful.  God bless you, Chip

My deepest condolences to the family. I’m terribly saddened by the news but am appreciating the time I spent with Chip.  Be it listening to him play in various settings, at spiritual gatherings, restaurants or art galleries. I met him at a spiritually inclined party where he played heavenly music… I absolutely LOVED his music, and listening to him play his interpretations of others.  He was the coolest 'cat' in town, best guitar player, teaching all the rest….
I'm thankful for all the conversations, for the company and for the great music he shared with us. There is no other who plays like Chip. May he find peace and ultimate tranquility.

I’ve known Chip for nearly fifty years through our practice of Transcendental Meditation.  He’s been a most wonderful friend and support in this aspect of our lives.  

Chip was a quiet soul.  But a deeply spiritual soul.  He was always generous with his divine musical talents.  But I remember him best for his devotion to practicing his TM Technique and supporting all of us who learned and practiced it daily with him.  His dedication to the concept of his own enlightenment enlightened all those whom he associated with.  

I too was blessed to learn TM at a young age, as he was.  But I was doubly-blessed to walk this Path of Enlightenment with my dear friend Chip.  He solidified my belief and confidence in our teachings and program by his steadfast devotion to the Technique and twice-daily practice of Transcendental Meditation.  And through his presence and sharing at all the many wonderful TM Center functions through the decades.

May the Angels embrace you in your journey Chip and may Maharishi continue to pour his grace upon your soul as you bring your purified consciousness and blissful being into the next realm.  

My deepest condolences to his sister and relatives.  Chip was truly an exceptional human being in every respect.  He will always remain in my thoughts and in my heart.

Much love,
Nick Ganim

I first met Chip when he was playing in the Delmar loop, on the street. I was so impressed with his unique and extraordinary sound, like no other I had heard from a guitarist. 
We became friends and shared that we both studied Classical Guitar with Michael Lorimer at different times but did not meet until later.
Chip helped me find a fantastic Gretch  Archtop Guitar and he helped me select a great pick up so that my sound was as good as can be. He opened up my intuition and my ears for Jazz.  
I want to thank you Chip for all that you have done to help me become a better guitarist. I will miss your sense of humor and your calm ways. 

When I think of Chip,  I’ll always think of his sweet smile!  I know Bill and you would meet and discuss spiritual experiences as related to meditation. I wish you complete healing and peace on the other side.  You and your guitar will be missed.  Blessings to you and your family my sweet friend! — ￼feeling sad.  Sending love to your family.

My wife Randy and I met Chip in the 70’s and knew him to be kind, gentle and full of lots of inner silence. Somehow, we heard him play guitar at some event and we were blown away with how effortless it seemed to be for him.  Over the decades, we had him over for parties that turned into jam sessions for him and others. It was like magic hearing his smooth, jazzy, off-the-cuff sounds that blended with perfection. It was as if he was a witness to his masterful playing as it came through with such ease. He once shared with me that he had been told that in another lifetime, he may have been Chopin. He was truly on that level. We will miss our dear friend Chip. Condolences to his family and friends.

I was friends with Chip in high school.  He was such a sweet and thoughtful person. He used to play the guitar for me and I loved hearing him play. I have remembered him fondly over the years, and I am so sorry to hear of his passing.

My heartfelt condolences to the family of Chip Katz. This is very sad news. 
I met Chip in high school. His parents were very good friends of my parents and Chip was a seeker and a very sensitive soul. I loved watching him find so much happiness in playing guitar and I asked him to play for an event we were having a few years back. What a Gift he had musically. God bless Chip. 

I came to know Chip at McMurray Music. We kept in touch sporadically over the years and Chip's gracious smile and welcoming words were a calming influence. His musicianship was impressive and his readiness to share was a blessing. He will be greatly missed. My sincerest sympathy to his family and those of us who knew him.
Denise

I had the great fortune to have Chip as a student of mine at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music and schools for the Arts. He was an extraordinary musician with a keen musicality. He studied classical guitar with me at that time and was a very good player with a nice touch. Sometime after those studies I had an opportunity to her him do a solo guitar jazz gig. It was spectacular!  He played with such musicality that even though it was only him playing, you didn’t feel like you were missing  anything. It felt just as compleat as if he had a trio backing him. He was also a very kind and gentle soul, a lovely being. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed, I’m sure. 

Chip was a musician blessed with an abundance of talent. His guitar playing were always tasteful and a complete joy to hear. His vocal ability also shined. I always enjoyed Chip's sense of humor as it was very similar to mine. Chip, you will be missed.

Chip, you were the one and only. Your music was GREAT. I suspect that the angels are switching from harps to guitars right now.  Thank you for EVERYTHING.

I have known Chip many years, primarily through our mutual love of music and the guitar. The man always had a smile and good stories, and was happy to share his music and knowledge. He was a very soft spoken man and I enjoyed his presence whenever we caught up to one another. He was a truly talented cat whose contributions will most certainly be missed :-(

My deepest condolences to chip’s family & friends. I join you in mourning the loss of a truly remarkable human being and gifted musician. It was fun knowing Chip as a fellow professional guitarist. We swapped a lot of guitar stories and licks over the years. Once he spent hours with me in a high school auditorium making fine adjustments on my new sound system just before I went on tour. His keen ear and musical sensibilities made all the difference! At a large holiday gathering in our home, I will never forget Chip picking up my Flamenco Guitar and quietly playing and singing some beautiful tunes that pulled everyone together like a magnet creating a magical and memorable evening. Chip left us too soon… I will really miss him. 
-Ron Radford, Flamenco Guitarist

One of Chip's most beloved songs was MY ONE AND ONLY LOVE.  He played it beautifully from the heart and it showcased his talent and skill as a musician and an artist.  He will be remembered as a wonderfully talented musician and a kind and loving man.  

OBITUARY

Charles "Chip" Katz

April 12, 1958 – August 8, 2021

Berger Memorial Chapel

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