That must be one of the most moronic sentences ever posted in a eulogy-thread... Motian is up there in that league, and you know it. Does it offend you that he wasn't of African-American heritage? Is it a plain and simple fact that he can't be in the big league because of his complexion? Do you use rest- and other rooms designated "for whites only" or what? Gee...
You know, when I saw Motian live first (of two times), in 1996 with the "Three Guys" band (Konitz, Swallow, Motian), Lee Konitz played totally unamplified in a huge hall... that alone was amazing enough, since his fragile and lyrical sound had so much force and projected amazingly strong. Motian, though, played dense and driving drums, yet he never, ever was overbearing. The whole mix of power and intensity with lyrical, melodic playing, was most impressive!