I lived in NYC from 2008 to 2015, and played with him in several different groups during those years, and shared many rounds of beer with the guy. The band music rep thread here reminded me of playing in NYC, and I thought, I wonder what Alan is up to, it's been 5+ years since I've heard from him.
Really nice guy, great sense of humor, quirky as they come, and very dry wit. Equal love for tuba and beer. He was always starting some new busking ensemble, or playing with a new small group at local bars and restaurants. IIRC, he started a quintet and called it "Beer Money."
He had lived in the city for a LONG time, IIRC he moved there from Kansas back in the 70s or something.
Alan was a real one. I'll miss you, buddy -- and I hope you were wrong, and that there actually IS beer in heaven.
This article is a nice -- and accurate -- tribute to him:
https://w42st.com/post/alan-gilbert-tub ... -obituary/