The inimitable Claude Rhea, once called Naples, Florida's own "Mr. Music," by Naples Illustrated magazine passed away suddenly in October at 64. Rhea, whom Kathryn Taubert calls her "Naples Musical Mentor," was taken ill suddenly and died a few weeks later of a massive cerebral hemorrage, leaving a huge gap in the soft jazz scene in this upscale Southwestern Florida enclave of music lovers and year round vacationers. "I may have walked into the room by myself," says Taubert, "but it was Claude Rhea who opened the door for me," she states recalling how she got back into music several years before, after being in retirement for decades. "Claude became my musical mentor, colleague and dear friend over the last few years," she states. "I can't tell you how much we'll miss him in SW Florida. At least we still have his music." Rhea recorded his last CD, "Well-Seasoned," with his original compositions. He also recorded with Kathryn on both her recent CDs, including some of their favorite tunes. His last recording was "How Do You Keep the Music Playing," accompanying Kathryn on her latest CD release, "Somewhere In Time."