Died On This Date (November 22, 2011) Paul Motian / American Jazz Drummer

Paul Motian
March 25, 1931 – November 22, 2011

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.

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The Story of Maryam - Paul Motian Quintet

Died On This Date (November 11, 2011) Michael Garrick / Jazz Pianist

Michael Garrick
May 30, 1933 – November 11, 2011

Michael Garrick was an influential English pianist and composer who was one of the earliest practitioners of merging jazz with poetry recitations.  Mostly self-taught on the piano, Garrick formed his first group while studying English literature in college.  During the late ’60s, Garrick began working choral groups into his music, a style which quickly earned him praise.  Over the course of a career that spanned five decades, Garrick released over 30 albums and collaborated on numerous others.  In 2010, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire.  As reported by Tiny Mix Tapes, Michael Garrick passed away on November 11, 2011.  He was 78.

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Michael Garrick

Died On This Date (October 30, 2011) George Rountree / Four Tops Musical Director

George Rountree
May 13, 1950 – October 30,2011

George Rountree is perhaps best remembered as the long time music director for legendary Motown group, the Four Tops.  For over 30 years, Rountree helped the quartet deliver its best possible sound to adoring fans around the world.  He also served as their arranger, composer, and keyboardist from time to time.  Throughout the years, Rountree also performed with the likes of Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Temptations, Martha Reeves, and Frankie Valli, to name a few.  George Rountree was 61 when he passed away on October 30, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.



Died On This Date (October 16, 2011) Pete Rugolo / Jazz Composer & Arranger

Pietro Rugolo
December 25, 1915 – October 16, 2011

Pete Rugolo was an Italian born American jazz composer and arranger who, over a career that spanned over five decades worked on albums by the likes of June Christy, Nat King Cole, Harry Belafonte, Mel Torme, and Stan Kenton.  Throughout the ’60s and ’70s, Rugolo focused primarily on television, helping create music for such TV programs as Leave It To Beaver, The Fugitive, Run For Your Life, and many others.  He also arranged and composed music for several films up until his retirement in the late ’90s.  Pete Rugolo was 95 when he passed away on October 16, 2011.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.



Died On This Date (October 10, 2011) Jagjit Singh / Popular Indian Singer

Jagjit Singh
February 8, 1941 – October 10, 2011

Jagjit Singh was an immensely popular Indian singer and composer who was known as the “King of Ghazal” due to the role he played in the revitalization of this form of Persian rhyming.  He and his wife and musical partner, Chitra Singh, initially gained fame during the ’70s and ‘8os, and have since been recognized as the first-ever successful husband-and-wife duo in Indian music history.  They were also reportedly the first Indian act to ever use digital multi-track while their 1987 release, Beyond Time is widely considered the nation’s first digitally recorded album.  Over the course of a career that spanned some 50 years, Singh’s music has appeared in numerous popular Indian films and on no fewer than 80 of his own albums.   Singh has also been recognized for his many philanthropic ventures.   Jagjit Singh passed away on October 10, 2011, as the result of a brain hemorrhage.  He was 70.

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Jagjit Singh