Ben Riley has died.

[Hardbopjazz]

The great drummer is now back playing with Monk. R.I.P. Ben. 

[Chuck Nessa]

Sorry to hear this. In my limited engagements with him, he stood out as a gentleman.

 

[soulpope]

R.I.P ....

[Hardbopjazz]

I did get to see him once, but not performing. He was in the audience at a Kenny Barron date at the Village Vanguard. I said hello and told him I liked his playing. He was very appreciative of my complement. 

[HutchFan]

Sorry to hear this news. 

R.I.P.

[Peter Friedman]

I saw him 3 or 4 times with the Kenny Barron Trio. His solos reminded me of a tap dancer in the best sense of that term.

His playing was lovely in that context.

R.I.P.

[mjzee]

RIP.  Always enjoyed his playing.

[aparxa]

Thank you for the music, Mr. Riley.

 

Edited November 18, 2017 by aparxa

[JSngry]

First heard him with Monk and was not taken. Then with Jaws & Griff, light bulb! Snappy! Finger-Snappy!

Also, he paired really well with Andrew Hill on Shades.

RIP, and thnaks for hanging in there for sol long. Not everybody does.

[clifford_thornton]

Wow -- RIP.

[BFrank]

WBGO: Ben Riley, a Jazz Drummer Who Made Accompaniment His Art, Has Died at 84

[Gheorghe]

Really sad news. Saw him live with Ron Carter

[Cyril]

R.I.P.

Thanks for the music....

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I got to see him several times before he retired but it was a long time ago. The thing I most remember about him was seeing a drummer playing with gloves. It was unusual.

[sgcim]

Very sad news. RIP, Mr. Riley...

[rostasi]

spent many days with Mr. Riley.

[CJ Shearn]

Sad.   Great groove.

[Stereojack]

A fine musician. I saw him with Monk in the 1960's, and with Ron Carter's group in the 1980's.

[mikeweil]

I think every one of us has more than a few records with him - I really started to like his playing when I heard him with Ron Carter's quartet on the Piccolo double LP. Heard his playing with Monk only much later. Barron, Carter and Riley were a great rhythm team.

R.I.P.

My recommendation is this CD, which has excellent recorded sound.

[Justin V]

I never got to see Ben Riley perform in person, but I have enjoyed what I have heard of his work as a sideman with Monk and others.  Looking at his AllMusic credits, I was reminded of some of his sideman work that I have and found several albums that I would like to hear.  Thank you for the music, Mr. Riley, and rest in peace.