Arthur Blythe R.I.P.

[Mark Stryker]

Arthur Blythe has died at 76. From his Facebook page: 

The first time I ever went to the Village Vanguard was the spring of 1982. I saw in the front row, right below the bell of Arthur's alto. It was his In The Tradition band with John Hicks, Fred Hopkins and Steve McCall. To say that I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. What a sound and presence. They played this tune that night.

 

Edited March 29, 2017 by Mark Stryker

[Dmitry]

Good bye, Arthur.

[Hardbopjazz]

R.I.P. Arthur. You music was truly original. 

 

[clifford_thornton]

ah shit.

RIP.

[Cyril]

Damn. I knew he was very ill. A while ago, I posted the message at the AAJ Forums "Arthur Blythe needs our help". And now he's gone.....

R.I.P. Arthur Blythe. Thanks for the music.

 

[soulpope]

Arthur Blythe .... thank you for the music and R.I.P ....

[sidewinder]

Very sorry to hear this - RIP.

[BFrank]

R.I.P. Arthur

[danasgoodstuff]

A distinctive voice, next to Jackie McLean the most alto sound ever.

[JSngry]

Man, so much pleasure...RIP, and sunshine put in it.

[HutchFan]

So sorry to hear of his passing.

R.I.P. 

[alankin]

Oh, no!     R.I.P.

[Hot Ptah]

I love his whole series of Columbia albums, and many albums on other labels. I was fortunate enough to see him live several times. He had a unique and compelling voice on alto saxophone. I always enjoyed his playing a great deal.

[Steve Reynolds]

RIP, Black Arthur

[mikeweil]

R.I.P. One of the most distinctive alto sounds ever.

Edited March 27, 2017 by mikeweil

[Jason Bivins]

Damn, hate to hear this. RIP, sir, and thank you for all your music.

[MomsMobley]

 

***

***

 

[mjzee]

R.I.P.  I'll spin this one tonight...

[LWayne]

R.I.P. Arthur. A true original and an engaging voice in jazz.

You will be missed

LWayne

[Guy Berger]

RIP, Arthur Blythe

[randyhersom]

What a career, what a legacy, what a life!  Thanks.

[Mark Stryker]

Footnote: Columbia released "Illusions" and "Miss Nancy" as a single in 1980. If that's not surprising enough, "Illusions" was the "A" side. 

http://www.45cat.com/record/ae71227

 

[robertoart]

RIP A true great. 

 

Edited March 28, 2017 by robertoart

[JohnS]

So sorry to hear this.  Lennox Avenue Breakdown has long been a favourite.    I did get the chance to see him live in London.

[Utevsky]

What a loss.  He will be missed.  Sadly, I never heard him play live.

I played about an hour or so of his music on my (two-hour) radio program on KBCS Monday night.  If you're interested you can hear a streaming version of the program in the audio archive on the station's website, www.kbcs.fm.  Just look for "Straight, No Chaser" under March 27.  (I posted the full playlist in my Organissimo thread.)