Jazz musician Horace Silver, known for his contributions to the hard bop jazz style of playing, died Wednesday at age 85.
Silver began his career as a saxophonist but became known for his unique piano playing style and composing.
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Silver was "celebrated for his clever compositions and his
infectious, bluesy playing," The New York Times said, and was perhaps most well-known for "Song for My Father."
Blue Note Records announced Silver’s death, and called his contribution to the company “immeasurable.” Silver recorded for Blue Note from 1952 to 1979.
“A pioneer of hard bop and original founder of The Jazz Messengers, Horace tempered bebop with elements of gospel, blues and R&B to create a soulful modern jazz concept that came to identify the ‘Blue Note Sound,’”
the company said on its website.
Hard bop was considered almost a rival of the cool jazz style, though both were variations of bebop, and the Times added that the media tended portray the two as “warring factions. But Mr. Silver made an unlikely warrior.”
“I personally do not believe in politics, hatred, or anger in my musical composition,” Silver wrote in liner notes to his album “Serenade to a Soul Sister” in 1968. “Musical composition should bring happiness and joy to people and make them forget their troubles.”
As news of the jazz musician’s death spread, the online community mourned his passing.
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