Jazz icon Horace Silver passed away yesterday, June 18th 2014. He was 85 years old. Horace was a pianist and composer and one of the only few true Jazz legends left still living. While the number of non-musicians who recognize his name dwindles every year, some of his compositions will remain with us for decades to come.
NYTimes Obituary
I diaried about his early years and association with Art Blakey a few weeks ago here
Step through the orange portal of hope for some music
This is perhaps his most well known composition. And if it sounds like “Rikki Don’t Loose That Number”, that’s because Steely Dan did that on purpose.
Song For My Father
(that version was a little faster than the original recording. I put the original at the start of my jazz diary this past Sunday)
Senior Blues, Live at the 1959 Newport Jazz Festival
1968 Danish Television, Nutville
Live 1964, Tokyo Blues
Well know ballad, Lonely Woman
Many folks will recognize this tune, Nica’s Dream
One of my personal favorites, Filthy McNasty—
The world might swing a little less hard today. The Universe has reclaimed one of its messengers. If we forget, then the message is lost. We love you Horace, rest in peace.