Died On This Date (November 10, 2009) Dick Katz / Jazz Pianist

Dick Katz
March 13, 1924 – November 10, 2009

dickkatzDick 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.