Died On This Date (June 2, 2011) Ray Bryant / Acclaimed Jazz Pianist

Ray Bryant
December 24, 1931 – June 2, 2011

Known primarily as a bop pianist, Ray Bryant was also recognized for his ability to bring elements of Gospel, blues, and boogie-woogie into his style.  Launching his career in the late ’40s, Bryant soon found himself in the house band at The Blue Note in Philadelphia.  Before long he was playing with the likes of Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, and later, Aretha Franklin.  He eventually settled in New York City where he formed his own trio with whom he recorded several jazz hits.  Ray Bryant was 79 when he passed away on June 2, 2011.

Thanks to Morgana Kennedy for the assist.

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Key One Up - Ray Bryant

Died On This Date (August 16, 2007) Max Roach / Jazz Icon

Max Roach
January 10, 1924 – August 16, 2007

Many jazz fans consider Max Roach to have been one of the genre’s greatest drummers.  One of the early practitioners of bebop, Roach made his mark playing behind some of popular music’s greatest musicians.  That list includes Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and Sonny Rollins.  Throughout a recording career that spanned nearly 60 years, Roach performed on over 100 albums, either as a sideman or leader.  Of those albums, 1962’s Money Jungle with Mingus and Ellington has been called the greatest trio album ever recorded.  Off the stage, Roach was an civil rights activist.  He passed away at the age of natural causes at the age of 83.

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We Insist! - Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite - Abbey Lincoln & Max Roach

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.



Died On This Date (October 19, 1995) Don Cherry / Avant Garde Jazz Legend

Don Cherry
November 18, 1936 – October 19, 1995

Don Cherry 1Don 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 RollinsHerbie 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.

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Mu First Part / Mu Second Part - Don Cherry