Mike Longo 1937–2020
Mike Longo, a pianist, composer, and educator who established himself in Dizzy Gillespie’s bands at the dawn of a 50-plus-year career in jazz, died March … Read More “Mike Longo 1937–2020”
Tributes & Obituaries
Journalists and colleagues bid farewell to the jazz community’s departed.
Ray Mantilla 1934–2020
Ray Mantilla, a conguero, timbalero, and bandleader who was one of the most prolific hand percussionists in both Latin jazz and jazz in general, died … Read More “Ray Mantilla 1934–2020”
Danilo Pérez Remembers Fred Taylor
I was playing in a hotel bar with a trio in downtown Boston. This was in the very early ’90s. I don’t remember how Fred … Read More “Danilo Pérez Remembers Fred Taylor”
Danny Ray Thompson 1947–2020
Danny Ray Thompson, a saxophonist and key creative force in the Sun Ra Arkestra over a span of more than 50 years, died March 12 … Read More “Danny Ray Thompson 1947–2020”
Bill Frisell Remembers Ginger Baker
Fifty years ago—fifty years—I graduated from high school, my grandfather died, we landed on the moon, my parents moved from Colorado to the East Coast, … Read More “Bill Frisell Remembers Ginger Baker”
Bill Smith 1926 – 2020
Bill Smith, a clarinetist, baritone saxophonist, and composer who worked in both the contemporary classical (where he was known as William O. Smith) and the … Read More “Bill Smith 1926 – 2020”
Manu Dibango 1933–2020
Manu Dibango, the treasured Cameroonian Afro-jazz saxophonist best known for his surprise 1972 hit “Soul Makossa,” died in Paris, France, from complications of COVID-19 on … Read More “Manu Dibango 1933–2020”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Remembers Larry Willis
I first met Larry Willis on a New York City playground when he and his friends showed up to play basketball. I was only 14, … Read More “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Remembers Larry Willis”
Saxophonist Marcelo Peralta Is First Jazz Musician to Die of Coronavirus
The jazz world has suffered its first COVID-19 casualty. Marcelo Peralta, an Argentine saxophonist renowned for his innovative approach to the avant-garde and South American … Read More “Saxophonist Marcelo Peralta Is First Jazz Musician to Die of Coronavirus”
Peter Bernstein Remembers Richard Wyands
Richard Wyands was a true jazz piano master, of a sort not often heard in these times of virtuosity and density. His virtuosity was in his … Read More “Peter Bernstein Remembers Richard Wyands”
