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McCoy Tyner dead at 81

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Pianist McCoy Tyner has died at the age of 81 of undisclosed causes. A cornerstone of the John Coltrane Quartet (1960-1965), he moved on to become a celebrated band leader and soloist on his own, and influenced generations of musicians along the way.

Alfred McCoy Tyner was born on Dec. 11, 1938 in the musical hotbed of Philadelphia, Pa. Among his neighbors was the pianist Bud Powell, who had a significant impact on Tyner’s style. Embracing the Islamic faith at 17, he was given the name Sulaimon Saud, but continued to record under his birth name.

Coltrane and Tyner came together in 1960, and after several personnel changes, settled on what was called the “classic quartet” of anchoring bassist Jimmy Garrison and explosive drummer Elvin Jones. Continuing with the modal experiments, Coltrane began with the Miles Davis Quintet, they created a sensation with their 1960 rendition of the Richard Rodgers’ Broadway show tune “My Favorite Things.” By the time they recorded “A Love Supreme” in 1964, a John Coltrane Quintet concert took on the trappings of a spiritual ceremony.

Going on his own after 1965, Tyner continued to make significant recordings, and explored new and unfamiliar musical implements like the koto (a Japanese stringed instrument) on 1972’s “Sahara,” and keyboard instruments like the celeste and harpsichord (check out the intro to the opening track “Celestial Chant” from his 1975 release “Trident”).

Curiously, he stayed away from the preoccupation with electronics and jazz rock fusion that dominated the genre in the late 20th century. His piano styling remained centered on the percussive drive of his left hand across the acoustic keyboard.

By 2007, his latest transition led to the formation of his own label, McCoy Tyner Music, and made recordings accompanied by big bands, strings, and frequent forays into popular music including the soundtrack to Disney’s “The Descendents” (2011).

During his career, he released more than 80 albums, won four Grammy Awards, and was proclaimed a 2002 Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tyner is survived by his ex-wife, Aisha (listen to his eponymous ballad dedicated to her on 1979’s “Together”) a son, three grandchildren, and a brother and sister. For more on this extraordinary musician, go to his Facebook page, or his official website at https://mccoytyner.com/.

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