Died On This Date (September 12, 2000) Stanley Turrentine

Stanley Turrentine
April 5, 1934 – September 12, 2000

Stanley Turrentine was one of contemporary jazz’s greatest saxophonists.  Born into a musical family, Turrentine began playing in early R&B groups but soon switched to jazz where he became one of it’s stars during the ’50s and ’60s.  He shifted to jazz fusion during the ’70s and then to a more soul sound during the ’80s.  Over the course of his career, Turrentine played with such greats as Lowell Fulson, Bob James, Jimmy Smith and Max Roach.  On September 12, 2000, Stanley Turrentine, age 66, died of a stroke.

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Let It Go - Stanley Turrentine

Died On This Date (September 11, 2007) Joe Zawinul / Weather Report

Joe Zawinul
July 7, 1932 – September 11, 2007

Joe Zawinul was a jazz keyboardist who co-founded Weather Report, a popular jazz fusion band, in the early ’70s.  During the early part of his career, Zawinul played with Maynard Ferguson, afterwhich he toured and recorded with Dinah Washington. In 1961, Zaminul went to work with Cannonball Adderley and by the end of the decade he was playing with Miles Davis with whom he helped create what would be called jazz fusion.  He played on Davis’ In A Silent Way and the monumental Bitches Brew.  In 1970, he helped form Weather Report with Wayne Shorter, going on to record such modern jazz records as the Zaminul penned “Birdland,” a Grammy-winning song that has been covered by the likes of Quincy Jones, Jefferson Starship and String Cheese Incident.  Joe Zawinul died of a rare skin cancer on September 11, 2007, approximately two months after a successful tour. He was 75 years old.

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Heavy Weather - Weather Report

Died On This Date (September 8, 1960) Oscar Pettiford / Jazz Great

Oscar Pettiford
September 30, 1922 – September 8, 1960

PettifordOscar Pettiford was  a virtuoso jazz double bassist and cellist who made his mark during the ’40s and ’50s.  With his mother being Choctaw and his father half Cherokee and half African American, Pettiford was likely the most famous Native American jazz musician in history.  Although most never new of his Native American lineage.  Pettiford grew up playing in the family band, first on piano, and then switching to double bass at the age of 14.  Pettiford was one of the forefathers of the be bop movement and over the course of this career worked with the likes of Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, and Coleman Hawkins.  He is also credited for having discovered Cannonball Adderley.  Oscar Pettiford passed away on September 8, 1960.

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Oscar Pettiford