Popular Bay Area jazz musician killed after vehicle is struck by two trains

BURLINGAME — A popular Bay Area jazz musician, who also taught at San Francisco State University, died when two trains struck the car he was driving on Thursday afternoon in Burlingame.

The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as 58-year-old Burlingame resident Andrew Speight.

Family members also confirmed Speight’s death in a brief post on his Facebook page.

“I wish I didn’t have to share this devastating news,” the post said. “Our lovely Hurricane Andrew Speight left this world yesterday. Please take a moment to pray for his peace.”

The fatal collision was reported around 1:40 p.m. Thursday near the Broadway Caltrain station in Burlingame. According to the commuter rail line, a motorist drove onto the tracks, got stuck, and was struck by a southbound train and then by a northbound train.

Speight was a popular attraction on the Bay Area jazz scene, performing countless gigs over the years at numerous clubs as well as at such high-profile events as the Stanford Jazz Festival.

“In addition to being one of the finest alto sax players anywhere, Andrew was a consummate gentleman,” said Steve Borkenhagen, who helped found and operate Café Stritch in San Jose, where Speight performed. “He mentored young players and was a trusted friend to all of us in the jazz business. He stepped up and created a beautiful ‘jazz club’ in his home when COVID hit, and he held weekly concerts with many of the brightest lights in the jazz firmament. We will all miss him dearly.”

He was born and grew up in Sydney, Australia, where he learned to play saxophone and had the chance to perform with such notable artists as Percy Heath, Nat Adderley and Benny Carter, as they toured Australia. The alto saxophonist received a good deal of recognition for his work in his home country, culminating when his 1998 album, “Andrew Speight Quartet,” received an Aria Award, the Australian equivalent of a Grammy.

In the early 1990s, Speight relocated to the U.S. and began leading the jazz program at Michigan State University. He later headed west to help guide the jazz program at San Francisco State, where he remained a member of the faculty until the time of his death.

Many of the saxophonist’s friends and fans who heard about his death posted remembrances on Speight’s Facebook page.

“Such a deep sense of sadness. Andrew touched so many through his teaching (and) playing,” one person posted.

“He was a mentor and a friend,” another person wrote in tribute. “This is a huge loss not only to the musical community but to those that loved him. I’ll never forget that beautiful goofy smile he had during his sets. My deepest condolences.”

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