Died On This Date (November 10, 2009) Dick Katz / Jazz Pianist
themusicsover Dick Katz
March 13, 1924 – November 10, 2009
Dick Katz was a jazz pianist and arranger who, throughout his career, played with the likes of Benny Carter, Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins. He landed a record deal with the legendary Atlantic Records in 1958. And in 1966, he co-founded Milestone Records, a respected label that released albums by the likes of McCoy Tyner, Paul Bley and Rollins. The label was absorbed by Fantasy Records in 1972. Katz was also a respected music educator and writer, penning numerous jazz-related essays and liner notes throughout his 60-year career. Dick Katz was 85 when he died of lung cancer on November 10, 2009.
Jheryl Busby was a long time music industry executive who, in recent years, was the President and CEO of Motown Records. Busby’s career in music began in the early ’70s when he was hired by Stax Records to be the head of West Coast promotion and marketing. From there, he moved on to A&M, Casablanca, and then MCA Records where he helped establish the black music division which developed into the one of the most lucrative labels of the ’80s thanks to discoveries like New Edition and Jody Watley. In doing so, Busby was elevated to the rank of President. In 1988, Busby purchased a stake in Motown Records and became it’s President and CEO. There he helped develop such young talent and Boys II Men and Queen Latifah while rebuilding catalog sales during the height of the CD revolution. In the later years of his career, Busby worked for DreamWorks Entertainment. On November 4, 2008, Jheryl Busby, 59, was found dead in his hot tub. His death was ruled accidental, caused by pre-existing cardiovascular and other conditions.
Byron Lee was a Jamaican musician, band leader and producer who has been credited for introducing the electric bass to Jamaica. He formed the Dragonaires in the early ’50s. They went on to become one of the most successful and influential ska bands Jamaica has ever known. As a producer, Lee worked with the likes of the Maytals. He later bought a recording studio and turned it into the best of it’s kind in Jamaican, hosting the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon among other major acts. In 2007, it became known that Lee was being treated for bladder cancer. Although he was no longer able to perform with the Dragonaires, he continued on in a management capacity. Byron Lee died of cancer at the age of 73.
