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Songs of Those we lost in 2020

Chuckv

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Some of the greatest musicians of our modern era went to sleep in death this year. This is not an exhaustive list. Please post your favorite recordings in memory of their work; how you will remember them. My list is Jazz heavy but don't let that stop you from paying respects to those I am not aware of whose genius graced other genres.

•Neil Peart 1/7 Drummer, songwriter for Canadian rock band Rush; 67
•Claudio Roditi 1/17 Brazilian trumpeter at home in modern mainstream jazz; 73
•Jimmy Heath 1/19 Major saxophonist in modern jazz & in Heath Brothers; 93
•Robert Parker 1/20 New Orleans singer, saxophonist , who wrote “Barefootin’”; 89
•Lucien Barbarin 1/30 New Orleans trombonist with distinctive growl;’ 63
•Lyle Mays 2/10 Keyboardist best known for work with Pat Metheny; 66
•Joseph Shabalala 2/11 Founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo; 78
•Jon Christensen 2/18 Norwegian drummer often on ECM Records; 76
•Bill Smith 2/29 Clarinetist in classical & jazz who played often with Brubeck; 93
•McCoy Tyner 3/6 More than Coltrane’s pianist; 81
•Marcelo Peralta 3/10 Argentine saxophonist - of Covid; 59
•Oliver Stokes Jr (Go DJ Black n Mild) 3/19 New Orleans Bounce artist/radio dj, of Covid; 44
•Kenny Rogers 3/20 Country & pop music star; 81
•Ronald Lewis 3/20 New Orleans historian of black masking & parades, of Covid; 68
•Ray Mantilla 3/21 Versatile latin/jazz percussionist; 85
•Eric Weisberg 3/22 Progressive bluegrass banjoist known for Dueling Banjos; 80
•Mike Longo 3/22 Pianist, longtime musical director for Dizzy - of Covid; 83
•Manu Dibango 3/24 Afro-jazz saxophonist based in Paris - of Covid; 86
•Freddy Rodriguez Sr 3/25 Denver-based saxophone legend -of covid; 89
•Rev Joseph Lowry 3/27 Essential civil rights activist; 98
•Bill Withers 3/30 Soulful singer & songweiter; 81
•Wallace Roney 3/31 Renowned trumpeter inspired by Miles, of Covid; 59
•Adam Schlesinger 4/1 Pop-rock songwriter, of Covid; 52
•Ellis Marsalis 4/1 Pianist, patriarch of Marsalis musical family, of Covid; 85
•Bucky Pizzarelli 4/1 Guitarist who spanned history of jazz guitar, of Covid; 94
•Hal Wilner 4/6 Producer for Sat Night Live, other projects, of Covid; 64
•Onaje Allan Gumbs 4/6 Versatile pianist in bop & smooth styles; 70
•John Prine 4/7 Renowned folk-country singer-songwriter, of Covid; 73
•Eddie Davis 4/7 Trad jazz banjoist often associated with Woody Allen, of Covid; 79
•Peter Ecklund 4/8 Cornetist in various pop rock & trad jazz bands; 74
•Andy Gonzalez 4/9 Bassist in innovative NY Latin bands; 69
•Jymie Merritt 4/10 Strong hard bop bassist with Art Blakey , Lee Morgan, many others; 93
•Jose Torres 4/12 Owner of Joe’s Place in Bronx, for salsa music, of Covid; 73
•Rio Kawasaki 4/13 Guitarist & guitar synth innovator; 73
•Lee Konitz 4/15 Renowned alto sax master of intense cool improv - of Covid; 92
•Henry Grimes 4/15 Free jazz bassist who returned to activity after years of absence, of Covid; 84
•Giuseppi Logan 4/17 Saxophonist active in 60’s free jazz, of Covid; 84
•Bootsie BarNes 4/22 Hard bop tenor sax, based in Philly, of Covid; 82
•Big Al Carson 4/26 New Orleans blues singer & versatile musician; 66
•Danny Leake 4/27 Renowned studio & concert audio engineer; 69
•Tony Allen 4/30 Nigerian drummer who developed Afro Beat; 79
•Richie Cole 5/2 Mainstream alto sax master; 72
•Jesse Hawthorn 5/2 WWOZ host known as Midnight Creeper & Brother Jesse, of Covid; 71
•Frederick Tallis 5/3 Composer who combined African-American & European elements; 90
•Alfred “Uganda” Roberts 5/5 New Orleans percussionist w/Prof Longhair, many others; 77
•Little Richard 5/9 Richard Penniman, architect of rock & roll; 87
•Betty Wright 510 R&B, soul icon; 66
•Randy Falcon 5/23 Renowned Cajun accordion maker; 69
•Jimmy Cobb 5/24 Kind of Blue drummer for Miles, many others; 91
•Lennie Niehaus 5/28 W Coast alto sax, composer, arranger w/Kenton; music for films; 90
•Gloria Denard 5/30 Vocalist, founder of jazz education school in E. Harlem; 93
•Robert Northern aka Brother Ah 5/31 French hornist in orchestra, exploring jazz, classical, spiritual music; 86
•Art Hoyle 6/4 Versatile Chicago-based trumpeter; 90
•Bonnie Pointer 6/8 a founding member of gospel & r&b group The Pointer Sisters; 69
•Keith Tippett 6/14British keyboardist in King Crimson, various jazz & rock; 72
•Vera Lynn 6/18 British singer who inspired WWII troops; 103
•Blaine Kern Sr. 6/25 Mr Mardi Gras. Float builder for many Mardi Gras crews; 93
•Edward Anderson 6/25 New Orleans trumpeter, record label owner & educator; 54
•Tami Lynn 6/26 Soul & gospel singer from New Orleans; 77
•Freddy Cole 6/27 Pianist & vocalist , member of Cole family including Nat & Ike; 88
•Johnny Mandel 6/29 Composer, arranger of jazz, music for film; 94
•Cleveland Eaton 7/5 Bassist with Ramsey Lewis, Count Basie, others; 80
•Ennio Morricone 7/6 Composer of distinctive music for films, including westerns; 91
•Charlie Daniels 7/6 Country-rock bandleader, star; 83
•Eddie Gale 7/10 Trumpeter, jazz educator, activist; 78
•Gilbert Matthews 7/20 S. African drummer also active in Europe & US; 77
•Annie Ross 7/21 Vocalist, actress, NEA Jazz Master; 89
•Helen Jones Woods 7/25 Trombonist w/ Int’l Sweethearts of Rhythm, of Covid; 96
•Peter Green 7/25 Guitarist & co-founder of Fleetwood Mac; 73
•Salome Bey 8/8 Soulful jazz, blues, gospel singer; 86
•Joe Segal 8/10 Longtime owner of Jazz Showcase in Chicago, NEA Jazz Master; 94
•Trini Lopez 8/11 Pop-Latin singer , guitarist, of Covid; 83
•Steve Grossman 8/13 Versatile fusion & post-bop saxophonist; 69
•Hal “Cornbread” Singer 8/18 Jazz, r&b saxophonist. Last survivor of 1921 Tulsa race massacre; 100
•Bryan Lee 8/20 Blind blues guitarist & singer, longtime fixture in New Orleans; 77
•Charli Persip 8/23 Drummer, bandleader, educator; 91
•Justin Townes Earle 8/23 Country-Americana singer, songwriter, 38
•Ronnie Kole 8/27 Popular pianist based in New Orleans; 89
•Willis Prudhomme 8/31 Durable Louisiana zydeco accordionist; 88
•Sylvester Francis 9/1 Keeper of NOLA Black culture in Backstreet Cultural Museum; 73
•Gary Peacock 9/4 Innovative, forward looking bassist with many greats; 85
•Bruce Williamson 9/6 Singer with Temptations, of Covid; 49
•Frederick “Toots” Hibbert 9/11 Reggae pioneer with The Maytals, possibly of Covid; 77
•Reggie Johnson 9/11 Durable bassist with many mainstream & avant players; 79
•Stanley Crouch 9/16 Combative critic of jazz, black culture; 74
•Jack Simpson 9/19 Radio host of Jazz on the Beach since 1967; 96
•Ira Sullivan 9/21 Versatile multi-instrumentalist bop master; 89
•Juliette Greco 9/23 Actress & singer of Chanson Francaise; 93,
•Helen Reddy 9/29 Singer of 70’s feminist hit I Am Woman; 78
•Eddie Van Halen 10/6 Rock guitar legend; 65
•Johnny Nash 10/6 Pop singer, also helped introduce reggae in US; 80
•Mohammad Reza Shajarian 10/9 Iranian master singer of traditional Persian music; 80
•Joe Rico 10/10 Influential jazz broadcaster in Buffalo NY, 96
•John Gibson 10/11 Minimalist saxophonist w/Phillip Glass; 80
•Harold Betters 10/11 Versatile trombonist based in Pittsburgh; 92
•Viola Smith 10/21 Swing era drummer, leader of all-girl Coquettes; 107
•Candido Camero 11/7 Percussionist at center of Afro-Cuban jazz; 99
•Ian Finkel 11/16 ‘World’s Greatest Xylophonist’ from borscht belt to philharmonic - of Covid; 72
•Layton Thibodeaux 12/2 Cajun musician, law enforcement officer & radio host, St. Landry Parish LA - of Covid; 66
•Charley Pride 12/12 Country music trailblazer - of Covid; 86
•“Blue” Gene Tyranny (Robert Sheff) 12/12 Pianist, composer who explored intersections of rock, jazz, classical; 75
•Nadi Quamr (Spaulding Givens) 12/13 Pianist & Afromusicologist; 103
•Gypsy Lou Webb 12/13 French Quarter bohemian & publisher of beat generation authors; 104
•Jeff Clayton 12/16 Saxophonist, teacher, co-leader of Clayton Bros Quintet, Clayton-Hamilton Orch; 65
•Stanley Cowell 12/17 Pianist, composer, educator, creative collaborator; 79
•Debbie Duncan 12/18 Singer from Detroit, based in Minneapolis; 69
•Rebecca Luker 12/23 Broadway musical star -of ALS & Covid; 59
•Tony Rice 12/26 Flat-pick guitarist, bluegrass innovator; 69
•Armando Manzanero 12/28 Mexican singer & composer of romantic songs -of Covid; 85
•Alto Reed 12/29 Detroit saxophonist with Bob Seger; 72
•Frank Kimbrough 12/30 Creative pianist active in new music & mainstay of Maria Schneider Orch; 64
 
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threni

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MF DOOM (31/10) influential US Hip-Hop MC/producer, 49




Tim Smith (21/7) singer,songwriter,producer, front-man of English progressive rock group Cardiacs, 59




Genesis P-Orridge (14/3) English singer-songwriter, musician, poet, and occultist, 70




Florian Schneider (21/4) German founder of Kraftwerk, 73




Little Richard (9/5), American musician, 87
 
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GGroch

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Jerry Jeff Walker 10/23 Singer, Songwriter, Lost Gonzo: 78
Billy Joe Shaver 10/28 Singer, Songwriter, Tramp: 81
Joe Diffie 03/29 Singer, Songwriter: 61
K.T. Oslin 12/21 Singer, Songwriter: 78
Hal Ketchum 11/23 Singer, Songwriter: 67
Mac Davis 09/29 Songwriter, Singer, Entertainer of the Year, 78
 
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Chuckv

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threni - MFDoom didn't know. Enough names. Let's remember the work.
 

threni

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threni - MFDoom didn't know. Enough names. Let's remember the work.

Heh, I saw that suggestion in your original post but you didn't lead by example! (Then again there's a curious limit of 9 YouTube links per post on this site). I just went back and edited my original post to comply!

... MF DOOM (it's written in all caps).
Usually, yeah. Fixed, thanks.
 
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GGroch

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Thanks franspambot. Here's a live concert of Jerry Jeff with the Lost Gonzo Survivors performing Guy Clark's Desperados Waiting for a Train Live at Dixies Bar 1984. Jerry was equally known for helping other's works become standards, as he was for his own songwriting. It's a live recording of an entire concert, and is what I cried to when I heard of his death. The concert provides a great retrospective of his early to middle career. It includes a lot of his earlier compositions from his folk singer days. Layin My Life on the Line at 1:04:30 is a good example of that.
 
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Chuckv

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Bill Withers...Who is he and What is he to You? .... and I quote "You make the music you like, and if the people like it... that's cool... try to write music that you think people would like???...horrible way to live as a musician...just horrible ...I'd wouldn't wish that on anybody." Legend... total Legend was lost. One of his best tunes... still makes me go chill to this day... 30 years later. Rembering one of the best.

 
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Chuckv

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Has there ever been a greater love song written since "Through the Years" by Kenny Rogers. Okay... think of one... think hard... you can't can you. There. LEGEND DEFINED. What a tough tough loss losing Kenny Rogers. And this coming from a die hard jazz man. Remembering the Legend of Kenny Rogers.

 
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Chuckv

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@franspambot @threni @GGroch humbled by your posts dudes. please don't stop. Audio is such a selfish personal hobby. It feels so good to give back ... even if its in a small way... for the years of hours of joy these geniuses gave us. Least we can do is show respect by sharing their artistry with others. Already getting amazed by this stuff I've never heard thanks to all of you. I get it. Thanks for help.
 
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Chuckv

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Lyle Mays... hands down my absolute favorite pianist in the last 30 years. Legend. Unmatched dexterity, improvisational genius, emotional intensity, lyrically limitless, never a bad note.... EVER. The bar is Lyle. He set it. He held to it. Any doubters? This 1989 solo will give goose bumps to the initiated and uninitiated alike. Can not hold back tears knowing this genius has left us. Rest In Peace Lyle. Solo starts at 2:04
 
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Chuckv

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Claude Bolling... this just in... the 3rd Wave. The hybrid of jazz and classical that was to be America's 4th gift to the world after jazz, blues, rocknroll proved too challenging for musicians and and American ears. Not too challenging for Claude who brought the best classical and jazz musicians together to challenge the music. LEGEND! gone. 1975. Don't try this at home.
We will miss you Mr. Bolling for over 50 years of making us think and feel.
 

anmpr1

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Leslie West. Left us in order to join Jack and Felix, wherever musicians go when they leave the planet.

 
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