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Jazz Obituaries
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Richie Beirach (1947-2026)
4th Feb 2026
The innovative American jazz pianist and composer has died at the age of 78.
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Ralph Towner (1940-2026)
28th Jan 2026
The pioneering American guitarist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist whose distinctive acoustic voice helped redefine modern jazz and world music, has died at 85.
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Gordon Goodwin (1954-2025)
18th Dec 2025
Gordon Goodwin, influential American saxophonist and famous bandleader of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, has died aged seventy.
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Jack DeJohnette (1942 - 2025)
27th Oct 2025
The groundbreaking American drummer and composer, celebrated for his contributions across an array of jazz genres, has died at 83.
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Bitches Brew
Miles Davis (trumpet), Don Alias (congas), Jumma Santos (shaker), Chick Corea (piano), Bennie Maupin (bass clarinet), Wayne Shorter (soprano saxophone), Dave Holland (bass), Larry Young (piano), Jack DeJohnette (drums), Joe Zawinul (piano), John McLaughlin (guitar), Lenny White (drums), Harvey Brooks (bass guitar), Jumma Santos (congas), Don Alias (drums), Dave Holland (bass guitar), Lenny White (percussion), Billy Cobham (drums), Airto Moreira (percussion)
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Dame Cleo Laine (1927-2025)
25th Jul 2025
The pioneering British vocalist known for her four-octave range and widespread career across jazz, classical music, and theatre, has died at 97.
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Meet Cleo
Cleo Laine (vocalist), David McCallum (violin), Danny Levan (violin), David Katz (violin), Kenneth Essex (viola), Raymond Clarke (cello), Maria Korchinska (harp), Bert Courtley (trumpet), Ken Wray (trombone), Ronnie Ross (baritonesaxophone, altosaxophone, clarinet), Dave Lee (piano), Eric Dawson (bass), Kenny Clare (drumkit), Virgil Namless (altosaxophone), Bill Harrington (tenorsaxophone), Alex Leslie (baritonesaxophone), Dougie Roberts (trumpet), Dave Goldberg (guitar)
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Martin Hummel (1955-2025)
15th Jan 2025
The warmly influential business executive, who founded Ubuntu Music in 2015, has died aged 69.
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Roy Haynes 1925-2024
20th Nov 2024
Roy Haynes, legendary jazz drummer, innovator across bebop, post-bop, free jazz and fusion, has died aged 99. His seven-decade career included collaborations with icons like Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, leaving a timeless impact on jazz history.
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Quincy Jones (1933-2024)
5th Nov 2024
Quincy Jones, the pioneering composer, producer, and cultural icon whose visionary career spanned jazz, pop, and film, has died at 91. From jazz clubs to Hollywood and global pop hits, Jones’ influence forever transformed the world of music.
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This Is How I Feel About Jazz
Quincy Jones, Lucky Thompson (tenor saxophone), Bunny Bardach (tenor saxophone), Jerome Richardson (tenor saxophone), Phil Woods (alto saxophone), Paul Chambers (bass guitar), Hank Jones (piano), Charlie Persip (drums), Jerome Richardson (flute), Jack Nimitz (baritone saxophone), Urbie Green (trombone), Ernie Glow (trumpet), Art Farmer (trumpet), Ernie Royal (trumpet), Joe Wilder (trumpet), Jimmy Cleveland (trombone), Frank Rehak (trombone), Charles Mingus (bass guitar), Billy Taylor (piano), Herbie Mann (flute), Gene Quill (alto saxophone), Herbie Mann (tenor saxophone), Milt Jackson (vibraphone), Zoot Sims (tenor saxophone)
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Toumani Diabaté (1965-2024)
22nd Jul 2024
The Malian kora player, known for his expertly led cross-cultural collaborations, has died aged 58.
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Françoise Hardy (1944-2024) / James Chance (1953-2024)
19th Jun 2024
The French singer, who became a cultural icon of the swinging sixties, and the American musician, notable for his role in New York's No Wave scene, have died at the ages of 80 and 71, respectively.
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Palle Danielsson (1946-2024)
21st May 2024
The Swedish double bassist, known for his work as part of Keith Jarrett's European Quartet, has died aged 77.
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David Sanborn (1945-2024)
14th May 2024
The American saxophonist, known for his role in establishing the appetising sound of smooth jazz and beyond, has died aged 78.
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Jazz Farewells 2023
26th Dec 2023
As the year draws to an end, we reflect on the numerous greats who won't be here to ring in the new. Our video pays tribute to the brightest sparks to have faded over the past twelve months, from Wayne Shorter to Astrud Gilberto and Carla Bley.
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Carla Bley (1936-2023)
19th Oct 2023
The American jazz pianist and composer, best known for the opera Escalator Over The Hill as well as her widely-recorded songbook, has died aged 87.
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Liberation Music Orchestra
Charlie Haden, Carla Bley (piano), Sam Brown (guitar), Sam Brown (unknown), Paul Motian (drums), Gato Barbieri (tenor saxophone), Gato Barbieri (clarinet), Roswell Rudd (trombone), Michael Mantler (trumpet), Bob Northern (french horn), Howard Johnson (tuba), Dewey Redman (tenor saxophone), Perry Robinson (clarinet), Dewey Redman (alto saxophone)
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Richard Davis (1930-2023)
13th Sep 2023
The American bassist, known for his unique style and diverse contributions as a versatile sideman on such classic albums including Van Morrison's Astral Weeks and Eric Dolphy's Out To Lunch!, has died aged 93.
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Astrud Gilberto (1940-2023)
8th Jun 2023
The Brazillian chanteuse, synonymous with the bossa nova craze of the 1960s, has died aged 83.
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Ahmad Jamal (1930-2023)
26th Apr 2023
The American pianist, famed for his inventive approach towards rhythm and space, has died aged 92.
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Wayne Shorter (1933-2023)
3rd Mar 2023
The American saxophonist, who made his name as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet and Weather Report, as well as an accomplished composer and solo artist, has died aged 89.
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Jeff Beck (1944-2023)
13th Jan 2023
The influential "guitarist's guitarist", who came to prominence as a member of The Yardbirds and as a formidable solo artist, has died aged 78.
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2022 Jazz Goodbyes
4th Jan 2023
A short video tribute remembering some of the jazz musicians, producers, and composers who died during 2022.
