Charlie Haden was an American jazz bassist who was most notably part of the Free Jazz movement of the ’50s and ’60s. It was his work in Ornette Coleman‘s quartet during that time that endeared him to fans and critics alike. The Coleman albums on which he played been called “game changers”, but it was 1959’s The Shape Of Jazz To Come that is considered a landmark of the genre. During the late ’60s and early ’70s, Haden worked with the great Keith Jarrett, playing on several albums that received critical acclaim as well. In 1969, Haden formed the Liberation Music Orchestra whose output was more politically based, with Carla Bley contributing heavily. Haden’s most commercially successful period began in the late ’80s with the formation of his Quartet West. The configuration released albums well into the 2000s, The list of artists with whom Haden recorded over the years was not limited to jazz and includes Elvis Costello, Ginger Baker, Beck, Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr, and Robert Downey Jr. Haden’s children have enjoyed careers in music as well – his son Joshua Haden is a member of the indie rock band, Spain, while his triplet daughters, Petra Haden, Tanya Haden, and Rachel Haden make up the acclaimed alt-country band, the Haden Triplets. Charlie Haden was 77 when he passed away on July 11, 2014, following a lengthy illness.
Mike Melvoin was a much-respected jazz pianist whose talent can be heard on countless records by some of the biggest names in music. Since 1961, Melvoin graced recordings by such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Tom Waits, Peggy Lee, Michael Jackson, and Charlie Haden. As one of L.A.’s leading session players, it was Melvoin who got the call to play on such landmark recordings as the Jackson 5’s “ABC,” the Beach Boy’s “Good Vibrations,” Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable,” Barbra Streisand’s “Evergreen,” and John Lennon’s “Stand By Me.” He released several albums of his own as well, on such respected labels as Verve, Dot, and Liberty. Melvoin also found time to raise his own family of respected musicians – Wendy Melvoin of Wendy & Lisa, Jonathan Melvoin of Smashing Pumpkins fame, and Susannah Melvoin. Mike Melvoin was 74 when he died of cancer on February 23, 2012.
Paul Motian was a gifted jazz drummer who first came to prominence as part of Bill Evans’ influential trio with whom he played from 1959 to 1964. He went on to play with a who’s who of jazz greats including Paul Bley, Keith Jarrett, and Charlie Haden to name a few. Beginning in the early ’80s, Motian fronted his own trio that included Bill Frisell and Joe Lovano. He released over 30 albums over the course of his career. Paul Motian was 80 when he died of a bone marrow disorder on November 22, 2011.
Charlie Haden was an American jazz bassist who was most notably part of the Free Jazz movement of the ’50s and ’60s. It was his work in Ornette Coleman‘s quartet during that time that endeared him to fans and critics alike. The Coleman albums on which he played been called “game changers”, but it was 1959’s The Shape Of Jazz To Come that is considered a landmark of the genre. During the late ’60s and early ’70s, Haden worked with the great Keith Jarrett, playing on several albums that received critical acclaim as well. In 1969, Haden formed the Liberation Music Orchestra whose output was more politically based, with Carla Bley contributing heavily. Haden’s most commercially successful period began in the late ’80s with the formation of his Quartet West. The configuration released albums well into the 2000s, The list of artists with whom Haden recorded over the years was not limited to jazz and includes Elvis Costello, Ginger Baker, Beck, Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr, and Robert Downey Jr. Haden’s children have enjoyed careers in music as well – his son Joshua Haden is a member of the indie rock band, Spain, while his triplet daughters, Petra Haden, Tanya Haden, and Rachel Haden make up the acclaimed alt-country band, the Haden Triplets. Charlie Haden was 77 when he passed away on July 11, 2014, following a lengthy illness.
Mike Melvoin was a much-respected jazz pianist whose talent can be heard on countless records by some of the biggest names in music. Since 1961, Melvoin graced recordings by such luminaries as 
