Howard Riley (1943-2025)

[clifford_thornton]

Sad, sad news regarding the incredible British pianist:

https://ukjazznews.com/rip-howard-riley-1943-2025/

There’ll never be another one like him, that’s for sure.

[Roger Farbey]

4 hours ago, clifford_thornton said:

Sad, sad news regarding the incredible British pianist:

https://ukjazznews.com/rip-howard-riley-1943-2025/

There’ll never be another one like him, that’s for sure.

Agreed. A true innovator and a very nice guy. I'm currently listening to two of his two albums, recorded for CBS, Angle and The Day Will Come. Like other British jazz musicians, the opportunity to record for major labels was a fleeting opportunity (I'm thinking also of his occasional co-collaborator, the late Tony Oxley). But I treasure those albums not for their rareity but for their sheer brilliance. RIP Howard.

[mjazzg]

Sad news indeed. Some great recordings in the catalogue.

I saw him some years ago now and his health didn't appear robust even then.

[Rabshakeh]

Sad news. RIP.

[clifford_thornton]

Wish I could have seen him. 

My art history MA thesis in 2003 included a bit about his early music and the evolution of his trio as process and discovery (I interviewed Brötzmann for this thesis). Probably should’ve found a way to send it to him but hopefully it was out there in the ether.

RIP Mr. Riley, and thank you.

[felser]

RIP, I have several recordings by him and have meant to dig into his catalog even deeper.

[Jason Bivins]

RIP.

[T.D.]

RIP, very sad news but not surprising given health problems.

I became a fan through various recordings on NoBusiness. Have long wanted to get the early CBS albums.

Edited February 12 by T.D.

[romualdo]

RIP Howard - a stalwart of the UK jazz scene - have a large number of his releases going back to his CBS/Turtle years

[sidewinder]

Very sad news - I was literally just playing the recent CD release on R&B Records (excellent) when I heard the news.

The CBS and Turtle Records releases are particular favourites. Also of note - his valuable contributions to the 'Jazz Britannia' TV series. Don't think I ever saw him, alas. RIP.

With Tony Kinsey's passing also just announced, this has not been a good week for British jazz.

[AndreyHenkin]

And with Ratledge on the 5th, that is the passing of three very different strains of British music.

And I just heard that Denis Wick died yesterday.

[sidewinder]

6 hours ago, AndreyHenkin said:

And I just heard that Denis Wick died yesterday.

Sad news - I think I have one of his trombone mutes somewhere.

[Holy Ghost]

On 2/12/2025 at 3:32 AM, Roger Farbey said:

Agreed. A true innovator and a very nice guy. I'm currently listening to two of his two albums, recorded for CBS, Angle and The Day Will Come. Like other British jazz musicians, the opportunity to record for major labels was a fleeting opportunity (I'm thinking also of his occasional co-collaborator, the late Tony Oxley). But I treasure those albums not for their rareity but for their sheer brilliance. RIP Howard.

Shared sentiments. RIP Mate.