Died On This Date (November 22, 2011) Paul Motian / American Jazz Drummer
themusicsover Paul Motian
March 25, 1931 – November 22, 2011
Paul Motian was a gifted jazz drummer who first came to prominence as part of Bill Evans’ influential trio with whom he played from 1959 to 1964. He went on to play with a who’s who of jazz greats including Paul Bley, Keith Jarrett, and Charlie Haden to name a few. Beginning in the early ’80s, Motian fronted his own trio that included Bill Frisell and Joe Lovano. He released over 30 albums over the course of his career. Paul Motian was 80 when he died of a bone marrow disorder on November 22, 2011.
What You Should Own
Jimmy Giuffre was a respected jazz composer and arranger and also was also known for his stylish saxophone and clarinet skills. Getting his start as Woody Herman’s arranger in 1947, he went on to become of the main forces of West coast jazz. In 1961, Giuffre formed a trio with Paul Bley and Steve Swallow who, though not very successful at the time, went down in history as one of the most important groups in jazz history. Giuffre went on to teach at NYU and later the New England Conservatory of Music through the ’90s. He suffered from Parkinson’s Disease throughout his later life and passed away on April 24, 2008 at the age of 86.
Dick Katz was a jazz pianist and arranger who, throughout his career, played with the likes of