Jeff Korba co-creator and drummer for Fresh Dub and a great friend and business partner of mine was killed Sunday, November 25th in an automobile accident out west where he was attending Montana State University. He was 19 years old. Jeff and I worked together in various jobs over the past three years but more importantly we were friends. I deeply respect Jeff's dedication to his art and I love him for his kind and free spirit.
Our most recent project together had barely gotten underway. I was shooting video to be used in promotional content and music videos for Fresh Dub. We shot one performance over the summer in Pattenburg, NJ that was already used in a news story I produced. But with school, distance and timing working against us we had not been able to shoot other elements we needed for their first music video. We were all getting together in NYC to plan and shoot that during his holiday break in December.
Jeff had a bright career ahead of him and there is no way to measure the huge loss we feel now and will feel for years to come. To his friends he was the guy with a smile who knew just what to say and when. To others he was that happy hippie kid that seemed to get along with everyone.
My deepest sympathy to his family in Califon, NJ and to the member of his band Fresh Dub - Mike, Trevor and Fred.
I plan to put some video clips up over the next few days of the interviews and memories I have with Jeff. I interviewed him and shot video of him while he was with the New York City band MONUMENT in the summer of 2006. I hope everyone views the clips and finds some prime examples of Jeff being Jeff. I can think of a road trip into the city with Jeff and Andrew that provided the clips used in "A Trip into the City with Jeff and Andrew", the video posted above. The clips are a great example of what kind of a fun loving and happy guy he was.
I would also like to make a video memorial story about him when things settle down. When friends are feeling better able to talk about him I would like to sit down and interview the people Jeff touched in his life. I see postings on facebook and my YouTube account that are great examples of the stories people have and can share for this memorial. If any good can come from this I hope the final video can help. Jeff had an inspiring spirit. I am convinced his story will inspire other people to enjoy whatever life throws at them. He faced every day with a zest unlike anyone I ever met. Let's tell the world about him!
There can be no making sense of why Jeff was called home so soon. I guess God must have had need for a talented man on the sticks for his band. Or perhaps it was that God needed someone of Jeff's spirit and nature in the Angel department. God knows when someone was down Jeff could help them pick their spirits up. I'm guessing it was that latter and he already has his wings and assignments.
Jeff Korba's friends are welcome to share their memories of him in the comments area below this article. Anyone willing to be interviewed for the memorial video is welcome to contact me by phone or e-mail. I will spend the next few weeks in pre-production which includes reviewing submissions such as stories, photos, video and such.
Until we meet again Jeff...
Bill