In Memoriam 2024

This week, we’d like to take a moment to remember some of the amazing artists that passed away over the course of 2024.

Jazz:

Les McCann – Pianist that practically defined the words “soulful” and “funky,” and was an outstanding collaborator who made some of his best work with other musicians, like Lou Rawls, Stanley Turrentine, and of course, Eddie Harris.

Roy Haynes – Drummer who played with multiple generations of top-notch musicians across numerous genres, from be-bop with Charlie Parker to early avant-garde outings with Eric Dolphy and Andrew Hill to fusion with Gary Burton, and literally hundreds of records beyond that, Roy Haynes was not only Jazz history, he was Jazz in the present tense, too.

Benny Golson – If Benny Golson had just been a fantastic saxophonist, that would have been enough. But he also wrote more than his fair share of songs that would go on to become standards: “Killer Joe,” “Whisper Not,” “I Remember Clifford,” “Along Came Betty,” “Stablemates,” “Blues March” and more.            

Quincy Jones – A legend that Chicagoans can proudly call one of their own, Quincy Jones was a trumpeter, songwriter, arranger and producer without equal. His own big band’s albums were astounding, as was his work for Dizzy Gillespie’s and Count Basie’s Orchestras. He produced the biggest selling album of all time (Michael Jackson’s Thriller), gave Miles Davis his final victory lap at the Montreux Jazz Festival, where he arranged and conducted the proceedings, and mentored younger musicians, too.

Lou Donaldson – Lou Donaldson started off as a be-bopper, was an early Jazz Messenger, made some of the most fondly remembered albums in Blue Note Records’ catalog, mentored a handful of excellent jazz musicians through the years (notably Dr. Lonnie Smith), and lived and played long enough so that two or three more generations of musicians could be spellbound by his magic up close and in person.

Albert “Tootie” Heath – Jazz drummer played with numerous greats, last surviving member of the legendary Heath Brothers.

Sergio Mendes – Bossa nova pioneer who became famous with Brasil ‘66

David Sanborn – Jazz, pop & r&b saxophone star, noted session musician, radio and TV host.

John Pisano – Long time rhythm guitarist in Joe Pass’ Quartet

Russell Malone – Phenomenal jazz guitarist and educator

Casey Benjamin – Groundbreaking alto saxophonist with Stefon Harris & Robert Glasper

Claire Daly – Trailblazing baritone saxophonist

Jim Rotondi – Trumpeter, educator, member of One For All

Martial Solal – French pianist

Calvin Keys – Guitarist who worked with Ray Charles, Ahmad Jamal & others

Marlena Shaw – Jazz singer who worked with Count Basie, Sammy Davis, Jr & others

Jim Beard – Jazz/fusion and session keyboardist, and educator

Nick Schneider – Chicago based bassist and educator

Rich Lichtenstein – Chicago based jazz pianist

Salvatore “Sonny G.” Guagliardo – Chicago based jazz vocalist

Blues artists:

Donald Kinsey – Blues legend; leader of the Kinsey Report and member of Bob Marley & The Wailers

Carl Weathersby – Chicago based blues guitarist and singer

Sugar Pie DeSanto – R&B vocalist recorded “Soulful Dress” and other ‘60s hits for Chess Records  

John Mayall – British blues pioneer. Directly responsible for Cream and Fleetwood Mac.

Artists of special note:

Duane Eddy – Rock and roll guitar pioneer made twangy hits like “Rebel Rouser”

Toumani Diabate – Malian Kora player who played with Jazz and Blues musicians

Angela Bofill – R&B singer with Jazz and Puerto Rican roots

Kris Kristofferson – Iconic singer/songwriter and movie star

Ella Jenkins – Chicago based “First Lady of Children’s Music”

Jazz writers/producers:

Dan Morgenstern – Jazz writer and historian, one time editor of DownBeat

Michael Cuscuna – Legendary producer and head of Mosaic Records

And a few especially near and dear to Paul:

Zakir Hussain – Tabla player who made records with Dave Holland and Mickey Hart

James Chance – Jazz/Punk fusion pioneer

Phil Lesh – Bassist for The Grateful Dead

Dickey Betts – Guitarist and composer for The Allman Brothers Band

Steve Albini – Guitarist, engineer, owner of Electrical Audio Recording Studio in Chicago