Musician, Composer. He was considered by many one of the finest and most influential pianists in modern Afro-Cuban jazz. A versatile instrumentalist, he also was an exceptional saxophone player and bluesman. Born in New York City, he was a child prodigy who appeared at Carnegie Recital Hall when he was only eight years old. He was mentored by composer Mary Lou Williams. He gained early experience playing with Joe Newman, Frank Foster and Freddie Hubbard. During the 1970's he was pianist for saxophonist Rahsaan Rowland Kirk and was featured on his albums "The Case of the 3 Sided Dream in Audio Color" and "The Return of the 5000lb Man". He was featured in the video "The Best of Latin Jazz", (1997). He recorded the song "Something Grand" for the movie "American Beauty", (1999). He also played with such jazz legends as Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie and Charles Mingus. As a solo artist he recorded several albums including "El Camino" from 1980 to 2000. He died from head injuries he sustained after a fall in New Orleans in May 2006. He was there to perform at a benefit concert to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Musician, Composer. He was considered by many one of the finest and most influential pianists in modern Afro-Cuban jazz. A versatile instrumentalist, he also was an exceptional saxophone player and bluesman. Born in New York City, he was a child prodigy who appeared at Carnegie Recital Hall when he was only eight years old. He was mentored by composer Mary Lou Williams. He gained early experience playing with Joe Newman, Frank Foster and Freddie Hubbard. During the 1970's he was pianist for saxophonist Rahsaan Rowland Kirk and was featured on his albums "The Case of the 3 Sided Dream in Audio Color" and "The Return of the 5000lb Man". He was featured in the video "The Best of Latin Jazz", (1997). He recorded the song "Something Grand" for the movie "American Beauty", (1999). He also played with such jazz legends as Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie and Charles Mingus. As a solo artist he recorded several albums including "El Camino" from 1980 to 2000. He died from head injuries he sustained after a fall in New Orleans in May 2006. He was there to perform at a benefit concert to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Bio by: C.S.
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