Yusef Lateef (Born William Huddleston) October 9, 1920 – December 23, 2013
Yusef Lateef was a highly influential jazz multi-instrumentalist who, primarily through the flute and tenor saxophone, is best remembered for seamlessly integrating of jazz and Eastern music. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Lateef was exposed to the playing of such local greats as Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell and Elvin Jonesat a very young age. By the time he finished high school he was already proficient enough on the saxophone to launch his professional career. In 1949, he was hired by Benny Goodman to tour as part of his orchestra. By the late ’50s, Lateef was making his own records for Savoy, and later Prestige Records. In 1961, he released arguably his most influential album, Eastern Sounds. His use of Eastern instruments on that album clearly influenced the likes of John Coltrane. In 1987, he was awarded a Grammy for the album, Yusef Lateef’s Little Symphony. He also acquired numerous other awards and accolades throughout his career – not just as a musician, but as an educator as well. Yusef Lateef was 93 when he passed away on December 23, 2013.
Ray Price was a legendary country singer, musician and songwriter whose smooth baritone was one of the finest that country music has ever known. Born in eastern Texas, Price began singing for an Abilene radio station upon his return from WWII. He moved to Nashville during the early ’50s and even roomed with Hank Williams for a bit. After managing Williams’ Drifting Cowboys, he formed the Cherokee Cowboys in 1953 – a group that at one point or another counted Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, Johnny Paycheck and Johnny Bush as its own. Over the years, Price scored iconic hits with “Release Me,” “For The Good Times,” and “Night Life,” to name just a few. He was recognized with two Grammys – for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1971, and for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals with Nelson in 2008. Price continued to record and perform well into his 80s and was even hoping to do upwards of 100 live dates after learning he had pancreatic cancer in November of 2012. Ray Price ultimately died from the cancer on December 16, 2013. He was 87.
Jim Hall was an influential American jazz guitarist who counted no less than Bill Frissell and Pat Metheny as disciples. Thanks in part to his skill as an improviser, he was considered one of the greatest guitarists on earth during his time here. Born into a musical family, Hall began playing the guitar at 10 years old. He began playing professionally as a teenager and went on to study music at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He soon headed to Los Angeles to make his mark on the cool jazz scene which was in full swing but settled in New York City around 1960. Throughout his career, Hall played worked with the best of the best in jazz history. That list includes Chico Hamilton, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Desmond, and Art Farmer to name just a few. As a leader, he released no fewer than 40 albums and remarkably, continued to perform regularly until just a few weeks before his death. He was even planning a tour of Japan for January, 2014. Jim Hall was 83 when he passed away on December 10, 2013.
Murvin “Junior Murvin” Smith 1949 – December 2, 2013
Junior Murvin was an influential reggae performer whose 1976 recording of “Police And Thieves” is considered one of the genre’s most important records. Born in Jamaica, Murvin began singing at an early age. After graduating from high school, he moved to Kingston to launch a career in music. After unsuccessfully auditioning for Lee Scratch Perry and Coxsone Dodd, he landed a deal with Gayfeet Records and later Crystal Records with whom he landed a minor hit with 1972’s “Solomon.” Murvin continued to build a following while performing throughout Jamaica’s many nightclubs and hotel bars until once again, auditioning for Perry in 1976. This time, Perry agreed to record a new song Murvin wrote called “Police And Thieves,” which lead to a full album by the same name for Island Records. The song became a fast hit in Jamaica as well as London where it became an anthem for the local rioters at the time. The album from which it came is considered by many to be Perry’s finest moment as a producer. The song made such an impact on Londoners, that the Clash recorded it and included it in their 1977 debut album. Murvin’s version later appeared in the films, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Rockers, and The Royal Tenenbaums while Dave Grohl recorded it for Reno 911!: Miami. Murvin’s final album, Signs And Wonders, came out in 1989. Junior Murvin was 64 when he passed away on December 2, 2013. He was reportedly suffering from diabetes.
themusicsover 
Yusef Lateef was a highly influential jazz multi-instrumentalist who, primarily through the flute and tenor saxophone, is best remembered for seamlessly integrating of jazz and Eastern music. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Lateef was exposed to the playing of such local greats as Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell and 
Ray Price was a legendary country singer, musician and songwriter whose smooth baritone was one of the finest that country music has ever known. Born in eastern Texas, Price began singing for an Abilene radio station upon his return from WWII. He moved to Nashville during the early ’50s and even roomed with 
Jim Hall was an influential American jazz guitarist who counted no less than Bill Frissell and Pat Metheny as disciples. Thanks in part to his skill as an improviser, he was considered one of the greatest guitarists on earth during his time here. Born into a musical family, Hall began playing the guitar at 10 years old. He began playing professionally as a teenager and went on to study music at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He soon headed to Los Angeles to make his mark on the cool jazz scene which was in full swing but settled in New York City around 1960. Throughout his career, Hall played worked with the best of the best in jazz history. That list includes 
Junior Murvin was an influential reggae performer whose 1976 recording of “Police And Thieves” is considered one of the genre’s most important records. Born in Jamaica, Murvin began singing at an early age. After graduating from high school, he moved to Kingston to launch a career in music. After unsuccessfully auditioning for Lee Scratch Perry and 