Jazz

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Jazz

John B Williams Jazz Jam At NAMM 2009
JAZZ ICON

Jazz Legend, 85, Enters Hospice Amid Dementia Battle

Bassist John B. Williams is currently being cared for by nurses on around-the-clock duty.

Fiona O'Reilly

U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with jazz musician Sonny Rollins
SAX SAYONARA

Jazz Legend Dies at 95

Sonny Rollins, the tenor saxophonist who dueled with John Coltrane and wrote the jazz standard ‘St. Thomas,’ died at home.

Tom Latchem

Billy Harper
NOT JAZZED

Musician Speaks Out After Canceled Kennedy Center Shows

“The name displayed on the building itself represents a mentality and practices I always stood against,” the saxophonist said.

Vic Verbalaitis

Eddie Palmieri
SUBVERSIVE SALSA

Grammy-Winning Jazz Legend Dies at 88

Eduardo “Eddie” Palmieri was a dynamic jazz artist who helped pave the way for Latin artists during the golden age of salsa.

Amber Levis

English singer Cleo Laine performs live on stage in London in 1976.
FIRST LADY OF JAZZ

Grammy-Winning Jazz Singer Who Sang With 'The Muppets' Dies

The British musical legend mixed high and low in a brilliant decades-long career.

Annie Bang

Roy Ayers
JAZZ LEGEND

Master of Jazz Fusion Roy Ayers Dies at 84

The jazz-meets-funk musician inspired Pharrell Williams, Dr. Dre, and Kanye West.

Conrad Quilty-Harper

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Sergio Mendes performs at the Festival Of Arts And Pageant Of The Masters
R.I.P.

Brazilian Bossa Nova Musician Sergio Mendes Dies at 83

Sergio Mendes brought the signature Brazilian jazz style, Bossa Nova, to a global audience in the ’60s.

Owen Lavine

Kind of Blue
opinion
EASY LISTENING

Miles Davis Kind of Blew It With ‘Greatest Ever’ Jazz Album

“Kind of Blue” is widely considered the best jazz album of all time: 65 years later, one can’t help but wonder if that’s only because it’s the least challenging.

Colin Fleming

Jim Beard plays piano in a dark setting.
‘MUSICAL GIANT’

Steely Dan Keyboardist Jim Beard Dies at 63

An exact cause of death wasn’t released, but a spokesperson for the group said he died from a “sudden illness.”

Josh Fiallo

American soul jazz and blues singer Marlena Shaw, 11th May 1977.
AT PEACE

Legendary Jazz Singer Marlena Shaw Dies at 81

The musical powerhouse is best known for her sparkling rendition of “California Soul.”

Edith Olmsted

A black-and-white photo of Les McCann at the piano.
INCOMPARABLE

Prolific and Influential Jazz Musician Les McCann Dies at 88

The singer, pianist, and modern jazz trailblazer died in Los Angeles, and leaves behind an incredible legacy.

Coleman Spilde

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