Abe Weinstein, a musician who founded the Hawai'i International Jazz Festival, died Monday in Honolulu. He was 58.

Weinstein's associate, Dana Ritchie Fujikake, who co-produces the jazz festival, confirmed Tuesday that Weinstein had died, saying in a statement, "his passion will live long and brightly through the creation he was most proud of, the festival."

Weinstein united local musicians with the global jazz community for the past 13 years with his jazz festival.

"Abe gave us, the jazz artists, a lot of opportunities to get involved in the music scene here," said Jimmy Borges, one of the town's great jazz voices, who has performed in the jazz fest. "Before the Hawai'i International Jazz Festival, Betty (Betty Loo Taylor, his longtime pianist in jazz gigs here) and I had to go out of state. Abe created the opportunity for locals to have a home base for their artistry."

A veteran clarinetist and saxophonist, Weinstein also was a bandleader and producer, mounting shows in venues ranging from convention centers to cruise ships, from nightclubs to showrooms. Weinstein was also a Honolulu Symphony Orchestra musician and served for a short time as the orchestra's personnel manager.

Since 1993, Weinstein organized, presented and performed in the jazz festival, filling a void for musicians and fans alike.

"He tried to do the impossible — to pull jazz musicians together," said Michael Lagarticha, Musicians Union president of Local 677, who had known Weinstein for 30 years. "No two jazz musicians have the same view of jazz. But Abe devoted his life to the jazz festival."

Weinstein had diabetes and underwent heart surgery, said several musicians who knew him. The cause of his death was not immediately known.

Services are pending.

His ongoing vision was to not only promote jazz in Hawai'i, but also to provide music education opportunities and experiences for Island youth as well as for residents and visitors of all ages. The annual two-day festival included big band swing, Latin, blues, smooth jazz and other hybrids and featured visiting performers as well as local artists. The concerts were augmented with clinics targeting budding high school musicians.

"Abe Weinstein was so dedicated to educating our young artists," said Duane Yee, a festival board member. "It is such a loss for the music world, and for the youth of Hawai'i." Yee recalled how his son Tony and his buddies from Punahou School developed jazz band skills through Sunday mentoring from Weinstein.

Musicians expressed appreciation for Weinstein's support and inspiration.

"He was so dedicated to music education, to supporting the performing musicians ... and to promoting jazz as a source of joy and art," said Jim Shon, longtime festival volunteer.

John Kolivas, founder of the Honolulu Jazz Quartet, said Weinstein's mentorship dated back to his days in New York. "He has always set a good example and has been very supportive. He was a fine musician and could read anything, played all the reeds and always did a great job."

"Abe was the consummate gentleman and the perfect advocate for the music and musicians," said guitarist Jeff Peterson.

Over the years, the festival has attracted more than 100 musical giants from abroad, performing in more than 60 concerts statewide. Weinstein expanded the festival's profile with smaller versions at Kapolei two years in a row and also brought the festival to Maui, the Big Island and Kaua'i. He was in the midst of broadening the network with the first Hawai'i International Jazz Festival at Windward Community College, set for Feb. 11, and planning summer festival dates at the Hawai'i Theatre.

Well-known figures who worked in previous festivals here included Lalo Schifrin, Larry Coryell, Makoto Ozone, Don Grusin, Buddy Guy, Poncho Sanchez, Herbie Mann, the Four Freshmen and Bud Shank.

Weinstein was born on Aug. 31, 1948, in Miami. He earned his bachelor's degree in music from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a master's in music from the University of Michigan.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.