Andrew Hill: June 30, 1931 – April 20, 2007

I have been trying for a few days to come up with something insightful to say to mark the passing of a really unique jazz figure, Andrew Hill. As often happens, someone else has put together some better thoughts than I would have articulated.

In addition to a few great MP3s highlighting his work, the blog Destination-Out had this to say:

"We’re deeply saddened by the passing of the great pianist, composer, and bandleader Andrew Hill. He was an important artist who held fast to his idiosyncratic vision — even when that meant long stretches in the commercial wilderness. In recent years, Hill’s music experienced a resurgence through reissues and remarkable new projects. Where he once may have seemed a fascinating but marginal figure, his influence is now indelibly stamped on many of today’s most creative players."

And I thank them for it.

I am including an MP3 here as well, a previously unreleased alternate take from 1968 which finally saw the light of day in 2004...

Andrew Hill - Dance with Death
from Dance With Death