Died On This Date (April 16, 2017) Allan Holdsworth / Acclaimed Fusion Guitarist

Allan Holdsworth
August 6, 1946 – April 16, 2017

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Allan Holdsworth was a highly influential jazz fusion guitarist who, over the course of 40+ years released 12 well-regarded albums and played on records by the likes of Jean-Luc Ponty, Soft Machine, Bill Bruford, and Stanley Clarke. Born in Bradford, England, Holdsworth was taught music by his pianist father from an early age.  Although he didn’t pick up the guitar, until he was 17, he was a quick-learn and more or less made that his instrument of choice from then on.  Holdsworth eventually relocated to London and joined the prog rock band, Igginbottom who released one album in 1969.  He spent most of the ’70s playing in prog and fusion bands while collaborating with many to the genre’s best known and respected artists.  He released his first solo album, Feels Good To Me, in 1978, and continued to record and perform live to adoring fans for the better part of the next four decades.  His chord progressions were complex and his solos very intricate, so it is no surprise that later guitar greats like Eddie Van Halen, Tom Morello, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Joe Satriani have all sited him as a major influence.  Allan Holdsworth was 70 when he passed away on April 16, 2017.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Died On This Date (June 6, 1991) Stan Getz / Jazz Great

Stan Getz (Born Stan Gayetzky)
February 2, 1927 – June 6, 1991

Stan Getz was a jazz saxophone player who earned the nickname, “The Sound” because of his warm mellow tone.  Although he tried his hand at several different instruments, it was the saxophone he received from his father at 13 that Getz connected with.  He reportedly practiced as much as eight hours a day and was soon playing in the All City High School Orchestra of New York City.   And remarkably, Getz was hired at just 16 years old to play in Jack Teagarden’s band.  He would go on to play with the likes of Nat King Cole, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman and Stan Kenton before he was barely into his 20s.   Throughout the ’50s and ’60s, Getz came to exemplify all that was “cool jazz.”  He also dabbled in bossa nova, partnering with Tom Jobim, Joao Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto to record the classic album, Getz/Gilberto from which their Grammy-winning hit “The Girl From Impanema” came from.  In the ’70s, Getz moved toward fusion, recording with Stanley Clarke and Chick Corea.  Stan Getz struggled with drug and alcohol addiction from an early age, which likely lead to his death from liver failure at the age of 64.

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Getz / Gilberto - Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto & Stan Getz

 

Died On This Date (November 30, 2008) Munetaka Higuchi / Loudness

Munetaka Higuchi
December 24, 1958 – November 30, 2008

munetaka

Munetaka Higuchi was the founding drummer for Japanese metal band, Loudness.  A talented musician from an early age, Higuchi played in several bands while still in high school.  In 1981, he and friend, Akira Takasaki, formed Loudness who became the first Japanese heavy metal band to land a recording contract in the United States.  Higuchi released a solo album, Destruction, while still in the band, and then left in 1992 to launch a solo career.  In 1997, he released Free World, and album that included such guests as Terry Bozzio, Steve Vai, Stanley Clarke, Billy Sheehan and Ronnie James Dio.  Higuchi reunited with Loudness in 2001.  On November 30, 2008, Munetaka Higuchi died of liver cancer at the age of 49.

Thanks to Craig Rosen from Number1Albums for the assist.

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The Law of Devil's Land - Loudness

Died On This Date (November 12, 1998) Kenny Kirkland / Noted Jazz Pianist

Kenny Kirkland
September 28, 1955 – November 12, 1998

Kenny KirklandKenny Kirkland was one of the most influential jazz pianist of recent years.  Kirkland was just six years old when he began learning to play the piano.  and by the time he reached his early 20s, Kirkland was touring Europe professionally.  Although Kirkland’s career was cut short after just 25 years, he performed or recorded with many of the top names of contemporary jazz.  That list includes Tom Scott, Ernie Watts, Stanley Jordan, Arturo Sandoval, Kevin Eubanks, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, and Stanley Clarke.   He even spent a short period playing piano in the Tonight Show band.  Kenny Kirkland died of congestive heart failure at the age of 43.

Thanks to jazz historian, Steve Myers for the assist.