Died On This Date (October 19, 1995) Don Cherry / Avant Garde Jazz Legend
Don Cherry
November 18, 1936 – October 19, 1995
Don Cherry was a highly regarded avant garde jazz trumpeter who is came to prominence during in the late ’50s while playing with Ornette Coleman. His resume, both in the studio and on record, includes a who’s who of the greatest jazz musicians of the ’60s and ’70s. It included John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Gato Barbieri, Sun Ra, and Ed Blackwell. Cherry released several albums leading his own band on such labels as Blue Note and ECM. He also appeared on a handful of rock albums, most notably those by Lou Reed and Ian Dury. Don Cherry died of liver failure due to hepatitis at the age of 58. His children include popular musicians, Neneh Cherry and Eagle-Eye Cherry.