Fred Kimmel, Bronx, NY Musician and Beloved Music Teacher, 1961 - 2026

I regretfully inform you that my husband and music partner for more than 27 years, Fred Kimmel, has passed away on Friday, June 5, 2026 of a heart attack. Fred was the love of my life and the kindest soul I'd ever known. Vivacious, brilliant and passionate about life and people of this great, big world we share, he lived every day to spread joy and to teach not only music but to care for one another. Fred was my teacher in life, and for the brief time on earth he was with me, I was only privileged to have had the most amazing experiences through knowing him and his wide circle of friends and multitude of music students.

Fred's daughter, singer/ multi-instrumentalist Claudia Kimmel, has inherited Fred's powerful on stage presence and love of song. Posted above is a music video to a Fred Kimmel original filmed by his friend Robin Adams at the now defunct Palomba Academy of Music in The Bronx where Fred once taught, not far from where he grew up in Morris Park, Bronx, NY.

Dylan Taganas, Brandon Meenan, Onyinye and many other music students of Fred's can be seen in the music video with CLAUDIA.

(Planet Rose 4th original song. Produced by Owner Sumio, Featuring CLAUDIA, Composed by Fred Kimmel, Video Directed by Robin C. Adams. Claudia is 15 years old, half Japanese and American, born in Bronx NY, has been singing since she was born.)

Fred's daughter Claudia Kimmel who was an integral part of Fred Kimmel's Rock Band music programs at Sam Ash Music Stores, Palomba Academy of Music and more, has created a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses and care for Fred's autistic son. Please visit this link.

I'm also sharing some key moments in Fred's well-lived life through long hours at work going from job to job and traveling long hours, finding time in between to do what he loved most which is to perform and create music. Posted below are photos I took of him at Beatstock with dance artist September and drummer Fabio Recine, and posing for the camera with fellow music teachers and musicians in NYC.