2026 In Memoriam

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Abdullah Ibrahim (October 9th, 1934 - June 15th, 2026) The South African pianist (né Adolph Johannes “Dollar” Brand) was one of his country’s first international stars after membership in The Jazz Epistles, with albums on Continental, Reprise, Fontana, Togetherness, Spectator, Enja, Black Lion, Sackville, Cameo, East Wind, JAPO, Soultown, Trio, Philips, The Sun, Chiaroscuro, Baystate, America Sound, Denon, Elektra, pläne, String, Ekapa, Plainisphare, Colomba, Poljazz, Kaz, Blackhawk, West Wind, Tiptoe, African Echoes, EMI, Intuition and Gearbox. Ibrahim died June 15th at 91.

Rick Best • Ruben Enriquez

Rayse Biggs (??? - June 14th, 2026) The trumpeter had a ‘90s leader date and credits with older brother Travis, Kamau Kenyatta, Roy Brooks, Geri Allen, Henry Gibson, Jr., Wendell Harrison, Pamela Wise, Paul Austerlitz and Ralphe Armstrong. Biggs died June 14th at an unknown age.

Ronell Johnson (September 23rd, 1976 - June 14th, 2026) The trombonist/tuba player had a new millennium leader date and was a member of Soul Rebels Brass Band, Coolbone Brass Band, Oscar Washington's New Wave Brass Band, Doreen's Jazz New Orleans, New Orleans Legacy Band, Louis Ford And His New Orleans Flairs, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Brian Carrick And His New Orleans Band. Johnson died June 14th at 49.

Tony de Bartolis • Billy Foster • Dave Greenslade • Manu Lann Huel • James Wasko

Duane Michals (February 18th, 1932 - June 9th, 2026) The photographer had his images used in albums released on Roulette, Kudu, CTI. Columbia, MCA, Warner Bros. and other labels. Michals died June 9th at 94.

Karl Gehrke • Robert Heredia

Robert Greenidge (April 28th, 1950 - June 8th, 2026) The Trinidadian steel pan player had albums on MCA, Antiasia, Mailboat and other labels and credits with, alongside numerous pop and rock acts, Grover Washington, Jr. Ralph McDonald, Mark O'Connor, John Chiodini, Munyungo Jackson, Steve Bailey, Marcus Miller, Herb Alpert, Wynton Marsalis and David Garfield, Greenidge died June 8th at 76.

Helmut Nadolski (October 27th, 1942 - June 8th, 2026) The Polish bassist had albums on Veriton, Alma Art and Comprint and credits with Andrzej Przybielski, Czesław Niemen, Grupa W Składzie, Iga Cembrzyńska and Jubileuszowa Orkiestra Helmuta Nadolskiego Nadolski died June 8th at 83.

Carlos Pagán

Tony Wilson (June 26th, 1959 - June 6th, 2026) The Canadian guitarist had his own or collaborative albums on Shire Editions, Spool, Drip Audio, Baynes Sounds and Songlines and credits with François Houle, Lonesome Monsters, Peggy Lee, Brad Muirhead, Ralph Eppel, John Korsrud, The Pugs And Crows Band, Kenton Loewen and others. Wilson died June 6th at an 66.

Scott Evans • Joern Moeller • Noreen O’Neil • Elfie Semotan

John B. Williams (February 27th, 1941 - June 5th, 2026) The bassist, who was part of the bands for the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Arsenio Hall Show, had albums on Fontainbleu Music, Alessa and Simply Smokin' and credits with Johnny Hodges, Horace Silver, Buddy Tate, Louis Armstrong, Roy Ayers, Mose Allison, Count Basie, Bobby Hutcherson, Johnny Hammond, Doc Severinsen, Billy Cobham, Louis Bellson, Airto Moreira, Benny Carter, Milcho Leviev, Red Norvo/Ross Tompkins, Benny Powell, Carl Burnett, Leslie Drayton, Gerald Wilson, Robert Conti, Nancy Wilson, Jon Hendricks, Creative Arts Ensemble, Herman Riley, Curtis Amy, Michael Wolff, The Harlem Blues & Jazz Band, The Manhattan Transfer, Bobby Matos, Dwight Trible and others. Williams died June 5th at 85.

Sadanori Nakamure (March 15th, 1933 - June 4th, 2026) The Japanese guitarist had his own or collaborative albums on Takt, Teichiku, Warner Bros., RCA, Victor, Cab, Zest, Jazzin, Uplift Jazz, What'sNew, Chitei and Studio TLive and credits with The New Star Group, New Directions Quintet, Sadao Watanabe, Takeshi Inomata, Charlie Mariano, Tadao Sawai, Kōnosuke Saijō, Akira Ishikawa, Hiroshi Matsumoto, Hozan Yamamoto, Toshiaki Yokota, Sadakazu Tabata, Seiji Yokoyama, Maki Asakawa, Norio Maeda, Masabumi Kikuchi, Tamaki Sawa, Kunihiko Sugano, Ann Burton, Shun Sakai, Jazz Minus One, Shungo Sawada, Isao Suzuki, Minoru Muraoka, Mari Nakamoto, The Super Guitar Fusion, Yasuko Love-Bird, Harumi Kaneko, Hideko Okiyama, Mami Horie, Kay Ishiguro, Mieko Hirota, Yoshiko Goto, Akitoshi Igarashi, Yasuko Agawa, Itaru Oki, Tadayuki Harada, Toshihiro Akamatsu, Kazumi Watanabe, Hidenori Midorikawa, Kunimitsu Inaba, Masako Miyazaki, Nao Takeuchi, Yoshihito Eto, Fumika Asari, Yoko Kobayashi, Terry Mizushima and others. Nakamure died June 4th at 93.

Annmarie Blythe

James “Blood” Ulmer (February 8th, 1940 - June 3rd, 2026) The guitarist released his own or collaborative albums on Artists House, Rough Trade, Columbia, Caravan Of Dreams Productions, Blue Note, In+Out, DIW, Bellaphon, Label M, Dernière Bande, Hyena, Knitting Factory Music, American Revelation Music, Inc., Innerhythmic, Pi Recordings and other labels, was a founding member of the Music Revelation Ensemble, Phalanx and Third Rail and had credits with Hank Marr, Joe Henderson, Rashied Ali, Arthur Blythe, Frank Wright, Ornette Coleman, Juma Sultan, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Cornell Rochester/Gerald Veasley, David Murray, G. Calvin Weston, Karl Berger, Big John Patton, Jayne Cortez, James Carter, World Saxophone Quartet and others. Ulmer died June 3rd at 86.

Stirling Betancourt • David Poe • Harald Skjerstad

Kenny "Spider Webb" Rice (June 15th, 1944 - June 2nd, 2026) Among the drummer’s credits were albums by Eddie Fisher, Chuck Rainey, Jim Pepper, Hampton Hawes, Gene Harris, Carmen McRae, Freddie Hubbard, Herb Alpert/Hugh Masekela, Grover Washington, Jr. and Bobby Lyle. Rice died June 2nd at 81.

Areski Belkacem • Peabo Bryson • Richard Dunlap • Knut Hosebø • Jay Locher • Uli Lemke • Allan White

DK Anderson • Bill Croissant • Dexter Wansel

William Coupon (December 3rd, 1952 - May 30th, 2026) The photographer’s images were used in albums released by Columbia, Contemporary, Elektra Musician, MCA, Warner Bros. and India Navigation. Coupon died May 30th at 73.

Joe Negri (June 10th, 1926 - May 30th, 2026) The guitarist and pedagogue, best know as Handyman Negri" on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, had albums on True Image Recordings and MCG Jazz and credits with Benny Benack, Lennie Martin, Bill Owen, Eileen Farrell, Joyce Breach, Trio Grande, 21st Century Swing Band, Nancy Wilson, Lisa Marinacci, Tony DePaolis, Michael Feinstein and others. Negri died May 30th at 99.

Eddy Gustave • Walt Hubbard • Izzat Majeed • Richard Mazur

Bill Haesler (April 20th, 1931 - May 28th, 2026) The Australian author and broadcaster penned liner notes for albums on W&G, Festival, Swaggie, Jazz & Jazz, Mbs, Jazz, G.H.B., BBC Records and Tapes, ABC and other labels. Haesler died May 28th at 95.

Ingo Hug

Peter Giger (April 12th, 1939 - May 27th, 2026) The Swiss drummer founded Family of Percussion, was a member of Four For Jazz and Drum Circus, released albums on his own Någarå and B&W music and had credits with Ola Ringström, The Tremble Kids, Claude Bolling, Sonny Grey, Marcel Zanini, Albert Nicholas, Ben Webster/Teddy Wilson, Volker Kriegel, Michał Urbaniak/Tomasz Stańko/Attila Zoller/Urszula Dudziak, Albert Mangelsdorff, Reinhard Karwatky, Eberhard Weber, Klaus Cornell, Fatty George, Jan Fryderyk Dobrowolski and others. Giger died May 27th at 87.

Steve Barrow • Harry Miedema • Mal Quine • Robert Rowe • Mike Walker

Sonny Rollins (September 7th, 1930 - May 25th, 2026) The saxophonist, one of the towering figure in jazz history, had albums on Prestige, Blue Note, Contemporary, Riverside, MetroJazz, RCA Victor, Impulse, Milestone, Victor, Joker, Quintessence, Musidisc, his own Doxy and numerous other labels releasing archival dates alongside credits with Fats Navarro, Babs Gonzalez, J.J. Johnson, Bud Powell, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Art Farmer, Clifford Brown/Max Roach, Kenny Dorham, Abbey Lincoln, Dizzy Gillespie, Modern Jazz Quartet, Milestone Jazzstars and Pat Metheny. Rollins died May 25th at 95.

Don Prell (August 4th, 1929 - ~May 25th, 2026) The bassist had credits with Tom Talbert, George Redman, Bob Gordon, Claude Williamson, Bud Shank and others. Prell died ~May 25th at 96.

Lynn Boone

John Eaton (May 29th, 1934 - May 24th, 2026) The pianist had albums on CSM, Fat Cat's Jazz, Chiaroscuro, Horchow, PJ and Jazzology and credits with Eddie Condon, Stuff Smith, Maxine Sullivan, Lou McGarity, Wallace Davenport, Bill Rank/Tony Newstead, Johnson McRee, Jr., Wild Bill Davison, Marian McPartland and others. Eaton died May 24th at 91.

Gary Foster (May 25th, 1936 - May 24th, 2026) The reed and wind player had his own or collaborative albums on Revelation, RCA, Insights, Discovery, Eastworld, Concord Jazz, Torii, AJI and Capri and credits with Clare Fischer, Dennis Budimir, Warne Marsh, Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band, Moacir Santos, The Singers Unlimited, Putter Smith, Cal Tjader, John Tirabasso, Yoshiko Kimura, Poncho Sanchez, Shelly Manne, Stanley Clarke/George Duke, Ray Linn, Demetri Pagalidis, The Aldeberts, Marty Paich, Marni Nixon, Jim Self, Yasuko Agawa, The Manhattan Transfer, Rosemary Clooney, Diane Schuur, John Patitucci, Arturo Sandoval, Milt Jackson, Nina Simone, Mark Masters, Jazz At The Movies Band, Concord Jazz All-Star Big Band, Rein De Graaff, Mary Stallings, Tommy Newsom, Pete Rugolo, Kyle Eastwood, The Midnight Jazz Band, Gerard Hagen, James Darren, Sunny Wilkinson, Pete Christlieb, Masanori Sasaji, Quincy Jones/Sammy Nestico Orchestra, Tierney Sutton, Mike Greensill, Kerry Strayer, Andy Martin/Vic Lewis, Buddy Charles, Till Brönner, Madeleine Peyroux, David Sills, Phil Kelly, Jane Monheit, Thomas Quasthoff, Bobby Shew, Lalo Schifrin and others as well as numerous pop, rock and soundtracks sessions. Foster died May 24th at 89.

Steve DeSousa • Randy Hubbs • Skip Schmidt

Philip Aaberg (April 8th, 1949 - May 23rd, 2026) The pianist had albums on Windham Hill and Sweetgrass Music and credits with William Ackerman, Gary Marks, Jim Brickman, Mike Marshall and others. Aaberg died May 23rd at 77.

Clyde Pound (December 3rd, 1934 - May 23rd, 2026) The pianist worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, Virgil Gonsalves, Bob Scobey, Maxine Francalanzo, Shades Of Blue Jazz Ensemble and others. Pound died May 23rd at 91.

Jack Hotop • Barry Kesterton • John Keys • Josef Kůstka • Mike Solazzo

Pinky Winters (February 1st, 1930 - ~May 21st, 2026) The singer (né Phyllis Wozniak) had albums on Vantage, Argo, Jacqueline, Verve, Koch Jazz, SSJ and M & M Enterprises. Winters died ~May 21st at 96.

Carlo Petrini

Ron Escheté (August 19th, 1948 - May 20th, 2026) The guitarist released albums on JAS, Muse, Music is Medicine, Bainbridge, The Jazz Alliance, Concord Jazz, RevsJazz, Holt, Resurgent Music and SMS Jazz and had credits with Jan Deneau, Dave Pike, The Clayton Brothers, Don Rader, Milt Jackson, Gene Harris, Dewey Erney, Herman Riley, Keely Smith, Ray Brown, Ernestine Anderson, Warne Marsh, Ray Anthony, Andy Simpkins, Tommy Gumina, Charlie Shoemake, Yasuko Agawa, Jack McDuff, Dan St. Marseille, Mary Stallings, James Zollar, Jeff Berlin, Diana Krall, Mort Weiss, Joey DeFrancesco, Kate Reid, Lanny Aplanalp and others. Escheté died May 20th at 77.

Ray Dewey • Dave McMullen • Marion Orr • Pancho Sáenz • Alexei Saranchin

Doug Ramsey (October 3rd, 1934 - May 19th, 2026) The author penned Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond and Jazz Matters: Reflections on the Music & Some of Its Makers, criticism for various publication and liner notes for albums on Prestige, MPS, Cobblestone, Muse, Chiaroscuro, CTI, Kudu, A&M, Trip, Horizon, Xanadu, Savoy, Artists House, Concord, Pausa, Hep, Landmark, Pablo, Contemporary, Sunnyside, Telarc, Fresh Sound, Reservoir, Arabesque, JVC, Milestone, Verve, Pacific Jazz, Jazz Focus, Blue Note, Halcyon, Capri, Jazzed Media, Arbors, Cube-Metier, Monterey Jazz Festival Records, HighNote, Caprice, Elemental Music, Summit and other labels. Ramsey died May 19th at 91.

Chris Guild • Lanny Kolpek

Gunter Hampel (August 31st, 1937 - May 18th, 2026) The German multi-instrumentalist, one of Europe’s first distinct jazz players, had his own or collaborative albums on SABA/MPS, ESP-Disk, Calig, Wergo, his own Birth imprint, PDU, Improvising Artists Inc., Karma, HORO, FMP and Intuition and credits with Inge Brandenburg, Alexander von Schlippenbach, Marion Brown, Don Cherry, Hans Werner Henze, spouse Jeanne Lee, Cecil Taylor, Triple Trip Touch, Jazzkantine, Frank Schulte and others. Hampel died May 18th at 88.

George Aprile • Henry Blackburn • Blaize Henry • Doug Martin • Simon Oswell

Ryan Porter (July 31st, 1979 - May 16th, 2026) The trombonist had albums on Alpha Pup, World Galaxy and Rings and credits with Young Jazz Giants, Miles Mosley, The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Kamasi Washington, Diana Krall, James Leary, Cameron Graves, Ronald Bruner Jr., Brandon Coleman, Quincy Jones, Henry Franklin and others. Porter died May 16th at 46. 

Patrick Kelley • Ike Willis

Bengt Berger (August 31st, 1942 - May 15th, 2026) The Swedish drummer/percussionist had albums on Ett Minne För Livet, ECM, Dragon. Rub-A-Dub, Amigo and Country & Eastern alongside credits with Gunnar Lindqvist, Sven-Åke Johansson, Palle Danielsson, Nisse Sandström, Staffan Harde, Don Cherry, Rena Rama, Bernt Rosengren, Christer Bothén, Jan Edvard Wallgren, Mynta, Lennart Åberg, Chapter Seven, Jonas Knutsson, Berger Knutsson Spering, Mirja Mäkelä, Per Tjernberg, Bengt Ernryd and others. Berger died May 15th at 83.

Phil Nurmi

David Henderson (September 19th, 1942 - May 14th, 2026) The poet had credits with Ornette Coleman, Sun Ra and David Murray. Henderson died May 14th at 83.

Gene Amante • Clarence Carter • Ian Royle • Greg Shearer • Bob Skibinski • David Bruce Smith • Ben Tan

Rex Reed (October 2nd, 1938 - May 12th, 2026) The author, best known as a film critic, penned liner notes for albums released on Atlantic, Verve, Mounted, Impulse, Philips, Fantasy, Trio, Century, Choice, DRG, Concord, Finesse, Palo Alto, Omnisound, Repertoire and other labels. Reed died May 12th at 87.

Julie Baker • Klaus Breuninger • Jo Ann Castle • Stanisława Celińska • Simmie Davis • Jack Douglas • Lynn Eckes • Bill Holden • Jerry Johnston • Reginald Madison • Steve Navoyosky • Marijn Philippona • Gilberto Villarreal • David Wells • Clynt Yerkes

Kate Hammett-Vaughan (1957 - May 7th, 2026) The Canadian vocalist released albums in the new millennium on Maximum Jazz and her own label, was a member of the NOW Orchestra and had credits with Peter Seige Williams, Susan Frykberg, George Lewis and others. Hammett-Vaughan died May 7th at ~69)

Cristóbal Díaz Ayala • Nick Hill • Ippe Kätkä • Carlos Malcolm • Joe Mendez • David Moore • Alberto Palazzi • Roger Ruffinel • Tony Stella • Armando Vidal

Yuji Ohno (May 30th, 1941 - May 4th, 2026) The Japanese pianist, best known for his soundtrack work, had his own or collaborative albums on Liberty, CBS/Sony, Victor, Columbia, King Canyon, RCA Victor, Invitation and Vap and credits with Hideo Shiraki, Terumasa Hino, Kayoko Ishu, Hiroshi Suzuki/Masahiko Togashi, Martha Miyake, Kimiko Kasai, Hatsumi Shibata, Electro Keyboard Orchestra, Jiro Inagaki, Mieko Hirota, Hiroshi Okazaki, Toshio Osumi and others. Ohno died May 4th at 84.

Michael Oletta (??? - May 4th, 2026) The photographer published the book Jazz… in the moment and had his images used in releases on Rectangle, Intima, Capri, Chazz Jazz Music, Denon, HeavyWood Music, Blueport Jazz, Sunstone and other labels. Oletta died May 4th at an unknown age.

Jorge Calandrelli • Alana Guarino • Richard Hellenthal • Eusebio Manuel Montanez • Alain Rabeson • Rachel Ramm

Kamal Abdul-Alim (July 9th, 1941 - May 2nd, 2026) The trumpeter (né Freeman) had an ‘80s leader date to go with credits under The Brass Company, Milton Marsh, Archie Shepp, Frank Wright, Spirit of Life Ensemble, Jeffery Smith and others. Abdul-Alim died May 2nd at 84.

Danny Mixon (August 19th, 1949 - May 1st, 2026) The pianist and organ player had albums on Cinderella and his own label alongside credits with Pharaoh Sanders, Joe Lee Wilson, The Piano Choir, Better Carter, Dave McKenna/Wilbur Little, Charles Mingus, Frank Foster, Dannie Richmond, Count Basie Orchestra, Hank Crawford, Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers, Eric Frazier, Bill Easley and others. Mixon died May 1st at 76. 

Georg Wadenius (May 4th, 1945 - May 1st, 2026) The Swedish guitarist, best known for his work in rock and pop, released new millennium jazz albums on Gazell, EMI, Parlophone and his own label, co-led Made In Sweden and had credits with Arnold Johansson/Åke Persson, Rune Gustafsson, Don Cherry, Joe Henderson, Esko Linnavalli, Olli Ahvenlahti, Eero Koivistoinen, Nannie Porres, Cornelis Vreeswijk, Dexter Gordon, Paquito D’Rivera, David Matthews, Ronnie Cuber, New York Voices, Jeremy Steig, Howard Johnson, George Benson, Tommy Berndtsson, JazzCode, Norrbotten Big Band and others. Wadenius died May 1st at 80.

Jack Bangrazi

Alex Ligertwood (December 18th, 1946 - April 30th, 2026) The Scottish singer/guitarist, among his work in the rock world, had credits with Lenny White, André Ceccarelli, David Sancious, Jeff Lorber, Didier Lockwood, Carlos Santana/John McLaughlin and Spyro Gyra. Ligertwood died April 30th at 79.

George Baselitz • Carmelo André Llanes • George Milsap

Mike Schwimmer (~1932 - ~April 29th, 2026) The washboard player had credits with Sid Dawson And The New Chicago Rhythm Kings, David Jasen, Red Rose Ragtime Band, Mimi Blais, The Elite Syncopators, Al Capone Memorial Jazz Band, Jeff Barnhart/Brian Holland, Chet Ely, The Boll Weevil Jass Band and others. Schwimmer died ~April 29th at 94.

David Allan Coe • Oskar Petr

Michel Denis (May 1st, 1941 - ~April 28th, 2026) The French drummer, best known for his work with blues artists, had credits with Michel Sardaby, Gerard Badini, Will Bill Davis, Cortex, Dany Doriz, Bill Coleman, Spanky Wilson, Philippe Milanta, Michel Queraud, Marcel Zanini, Paris All Stars, Christian Morin and others. Denis died ~April 28th at 84.

Kiyoshi Kitagawa (December 5th, 1958 - April 28th, 2026) The Japanese bassist had his own or collaborative albums on Atelier Sawano, What'sNew Records and Kamnabi Records and credits with Sadayusa Fujii, Akira Sakurai, The Harper Brothers, Susannah McCorkle, Pete Minger, Kenny Garrett, Jimmy Heath, Tete Montoliu, Makoto Ozone, Jae Sinnett, Melissa Walker, Terell Stafford, Will Sellenraad, Kimiko Itoh, Dan Rose, Kenny Barron, Andy Bey, Miki Hayama, Ben Rley, Jon Faddis, Dayna Stephens, Michael Rodriguez, Judith Lorick and others. Kitagawa died April 28th at 67.

Paul McKee (??? - April 28th, 2026) The trombonist had a 1995 album on Corridor and credits with University Of Texas Jazz Orchestra, Woody Herman, Tina Marsh, Kirsten Gustafson, Brad Goode, Richard Stoltzman, Eden Atwood, Jazz Members Big Band of Chicago, Frank Mantooth, Jodie Christian, Jim Widner, Jeff Benedict, Red Richardson, Bob Lark, Francine Griffin, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Kevin Mahogany, Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, The Boulevard Big Band, Dan Gailey, Steve Owen, Ben Markley, Erik Applegate, Bob Washut, Ted Piltzecker, Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, Socrates Garcia and others. McKee died April 28th at an unknown age. 

Virgil Blackwell • Steve Maslow • Ed Moon • Dave Richards • Lynn Simone • Len Thwaites

Daniel Huck (March 22nd, 1948 - April 25th, 2026) The French reedplayer had his own or collaborative albums on Ida, Nocturne, Coda, Passage Clouté, Paris Jazz Corner Productions, Night & Day and Open alongside credits with Charquet & Co, Anachronic Jazz Band, Orpheon Celesta, Les Primitifs Du Futur, Ornicar Big Band, Eddy Louiss, Cat Anderson, Pierre-Yves Sorin, Pat Giraud, Jean-Pierre Morel, Michel Pastre, Miss Lulu White's Red Hot Creole Jazzband, Jacky Bouilliol, Les Haricots Rouges, Slapscat, Dixie Fellows and others. Huck died April 25th at 78.

Linc Milliman (??? - April 25th, 2026) The bassist worked with Maynard Ferguson, Marian McPartland, Don Ewell/Jack Maheu, Dick Meldonian, Phil Wilson, Glenn Zottola, Butch Miles, George Masso, Derek Smith, Ben Ventura, Bill Watrous, Jorge Anders, Warren Vaché, Johnny Blowers, Dave Van Ronk, Randy Sandke, The New York Allstars, Doug Duke, Carmen Leggio, Sarah Partridge and others. Milliman died April 25th at an unknown age.

Jesper Thilo (November 28th, 1941 - April 25th, 2026) The Danish reedplayer had his own or collaborative albums on Storyville, RCA Victor, Music Mecca, Sackville, Stunt and Nagel Heyer alongside credits with Finn Savery, Arnvid Meyer, Ib Glindemann, Palle Mikkelborg, Danish Radio Big Band, Danish Jazzballet Society'-Ensemble, Ben Webster, Oliver Nelson, Svend Lundvigs, Ole Kock Hansen, Niels Jørgen Steen, Hugo Rasmussen, Wild Bill Davison, Kansas City Stompers, Ernie Wilkins, Duke Jordan, Claes-Göran Crona, Børge Roger Henrichsen, Peter Nissen, Bengt-Arne Wallin/Nils Landgren, Miles Davis, The European Jazz Giants, Tommy Flanagan, Eivin Sannes, Sigurd Barrett, Ralph Sutton and others. Thilo died April 25th at 84.

Cliff Downs • Ed Archambault • Doug Harris • Katsuhiko Kawai • Lev Shimelov • Tony Wilson

George Young (October 7th, 1937 - ~April 23rd, 2026) The reed and wind player (né Opalisky) released albums on Chancellor, Columbia, Electric Bird, Paddle Wheel, Bellaphon and Chiaroscuro, was a founding member of the Manhattan Jazz Quintet and had, among his many credits, sessions with Marvin Stamm, Urbie Green, Peggy Lee, Jimmy McGriff, Weldon Irvine, Blue Mitchell, Stanley Turrentine, Lonnie Smith, Idris Muhammad, Red Rodney, Meco Monardo, Maynard Ferguson, Eric Gale, Joe Farrell, Walter Bishop, Jr., Joe Thomas, Eddie Palmieri, Benny Goodman, Quincy Jones, Lionel Hampton, Mike Mandel, Narada Michael Walden, Herbie Mann, Jay Hoggard, Sadao Watanabe, Teo Macero, Terumasa Hino, Charles Earland, David Matthews, Earl Klugh, Lena Horne, Jaco Pastorius, Carlos Franzetti, John Tropea, Dave Grusin, Nancy Wilson, Bob James, Fuse One, George Benson, Steve Gadd, Joe Beck, Jay Leonhart, Vince Mendoza, Louie Bellson, Carolyn Leonhart, Mike Mainieri, Carla Bley, David Sanborn, Phil Woods, Jon Faddis and Mike Abene. Young died ~April 23rd at 88.

Jean-Bernard Pommier

Michael Tilson Thomas (December 21st, 1944 - April 22nd, 2026) Among the conductor’s many credits were collaborations with John McLaughlin, Columbia Jazz Band and Sarah Vaughan. Tilson Thomas died April 22nd at 81.

Doug DuBoff • Andrew Kosiba • Kerry McClure • Joe Sliker • Bongani Sokhela • James Valentine • Christian Vaughan

Moogie Canazio (September 21st, 1955 - April 21st, 2026) The Brazilian engineer worked on, among many others, albums by Quarteto Em Cy, Sarah Vaughan/Milton Nascimento, Ivan Lins, Don Grusin, Manu Dibango, Sadao Watanabe, Sidney Magal, Fourplay, Melody Gardot, Bob James and Nathan East. Canazio died April 21st at 70.

Michael Mitchell • Wayne Moss • Kyriakos Sfetsas • Jim Wynne

Billy Gault (December 28th, 1941 - April 19th, 2026) The pianist (later changing his name to William Kalim Zarif) had a 1974 album on SteepleChase, sideman credits with Jackie McLean and his compositions recorded by McLean, Joe Lee Wilson, Roberto Magris and Nate Birchall. Gault died April 19th at 84. 

Jan Donkers • Peter Elabash • Dave Mason • Tom Tallman

Stanton Davis (November 10th, 1945 - April 18th, 2026) The trumpeter had albums on Outrageous Records Incorporated, Enja and Cultures of Soul alongside credits with George Russell, Erroll Parker, Randy Weston, Lester Bowie, Muhal Richard Abrams, Ray Anderson, Gil Evans, Oliver Lake, Jim Pepper, Bob Stewart, George Gruntz, Charlie Haden, Fred Wesley, Jimmy McGriff, Mario Bauza, Michel Camilo, Steve Turre, John Clark, Masahiro Sayama, Joseph Daley, Fred Ho, Earl McIntyre and others. Davis died April 18th at 80.

Lynn Abrams • Terrance Bruce • Jay Cloidt • Rene Goiffon • Andreas Heuer • Ron Kelly • Ron Melling • Richard Mende • Russell Pence • Jesse Rodrique • Dave Sieber • Sven Smedberg • Lynnwood Summerall • José Luís Tinoco • Reinhard Walter

Dan Wall (September 7th, 1953 - April 14th, 2026) The pianist/keyboard player and pedagogue had albums on Landslide, Audiophile, Koch Jazz, Enja and Double-Time and credits with Karl Ratzer, Al Cohn, Eddie Harris, Buddy DeFranco, Maxine Sullivan, Dave Ferguson, The Atlanta Allstar Quartet, John Abercrombie, Jerry Bergonzi, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Bobby Selvaggio, Carl Verheyen, Tony Pulizzi, Santiago De La Muela, Paul Samuels and Dan Morgan. Wall died April 14th at 72.

Galen Robinson • Kenny Sheffield

Severi Pyysalo (December 18th, 1967 - April 13th, 2026) The Finnish vibraphonist had his own or collaborative albums on Selecta, Scandia, Ondine Octopus, Storyville, Blue Note, Abovoice, Footprint, EasyZone, Levypallo, Sony Classical and Svart alongside credits with Ilpo Murtojärvi, Erkki Välilä, Swing Gentlemen, Ken McIntyre/Thierry Bruneau, Klaus Suonsaari, Eero Koivistoinen, Anders Jormin, Scandinavian Summit, UMO Jazz Orchestra, Niklas Winter, Andre Sumelius, Sérgio Machado, Teddy Rok, Turgan Trio, The Five Corners Quintet, Jukkis Uotila, Jesper Bodilsen, Grani Big Band, Flame Jazz Messengers, Vilkka Wahl, Varre Vartiainen and others. Pyysalo died April 13th at 59.

Michaele Finneran • Thomas Fisher • Václav Hybš • Dennis James • Brian Jarboe • David May

Mike Westbrook (March 21st, 1936 - April 11th, 2026) The British pianist/composer/bandleader was a seminal figure in modern UK jazz with albums featuring groups of various sizes comprising many of his country’s most significant players on Deram, RCA Neon, Cadillac, RCA Victor, Transatlantic, Original, Polydor, hatHUT, Venture, TipToe, ASC, Enja, BGO, PAO, Jazzprint, Altrisuoni, Thingamajig and his own label, many in collaboration with spouse Kate Westbrook. Westbrook died April 11th at 90.

Thomas Frost • Lovell Ives • Carlos Johnson • Harry Kim • Ron Overton • Dan Schwartz

George W. Goodman (~1939 - April 7th, 2026) The journalist wrote about jazz for Ebony, Look Magazine, The New York Times, The Conoisseur and The Atlantic and as a saxophonist played with Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Spaulding, Dexter Gordon, Henry Grimes, Big Jay McShann and others. Goodman died April 7th at 87.

Scott Aiges • Carolyn Albritton • Eddie Asten • Wayne Kozak • Donn Landee • Steve McDonald • Alvin Pazant • John Simkus • Bob Sternowski • Renee Vaughn

James Gadson (June 17th, 1939 - April 3rd, 2026) The drummer, among his hundreds of credits, worked on albums by Charles Kynard, Quincy Jones, Dennis Coffey, Herbie Hancock, Thijs Van Leer, Brass Fever, Miroslav Vitous, John Handy, Jimmy Ponder, Blue Mitchell, Sonny Criss, Gene Harris, Johnny Hammond, Patrice Rushen, Willie Bobo, Benny Golson, Herb Alpert/Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Smith, Wilton Felder, Pharoah Sanders, Masayoshi Takanaka, Roy Ayers/Wayne Henderson, Norman Connors, Ramsey Lewis, Nancy Wilson, Michael White, Stanley Turrentine, Les McCann, Benny Powell, Freddie Hubbard, Noel Pointer, Calvin Keys, Azar Lawrence, Poncho Sanchez, Joe Sample, Barbara Morrison, Jon Batiste and others. Gadson died April 3rd at 86.

Conley Abrams • Allan Dent • Skip Leeper • Wojciech Morawski • Geoffrey Smith • Bill Stevens • John Thomas

Joe Conzo, Sr. • Kathryn Elliott • Bill Glenister • Bill Leader • David Riondino • Ron Thielman • Phil White

Paul Stouthamer (1959 - March 28th, 2026) The cellist had a new millennium leader date and credits with Bill Desmond, Jordi Sabates, Frans Vermeerssen, Marcel van Vugt, Rajesh Mehta, Arnau Gil and Liba Villavecchia. Stouthamer died March 28th at ~66.

Lucho González • Lynn McConnell • James "Buzz" Pickens • Bill Rogers • Lucky Thompson (drums)

Bob Zieff (June 4th, 1927 - March 26th, 2026) The composer/arranger had credits with Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Lars Gullin, Dick Wetmore, Anthony Ortega, Jack Nimitz, Playboy Jazz All-Stars and others, wrote entries for The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz and hosted radio shows in California and Pennsylvania, states where he taught university-level jazz courses. Zieff died March 26th at 98.

Dash Crofts • Françoise Devienne • Ed George • Alexander Kluge • Andrew McFarland • Armas Maiste • Jeffrey Sime • Pat Steir

Gino Paoli (September 23rd, 1934 - March 24th, 2026) The Italian singer-songwriter had new millennium collaborative albums on Blue Note and Parco Della Musica and his songs recorded by Giorgio Gaslini, Peggy Lee, Wes Montgomery, Trombones Unlimited, Dick Hyman, Joe Pass, Nina Simone, Piet Noordijk, John Basile, Giovanni Tommaso, Aldo Romano, Enrico Rava, Luciano Biondini, Luigi Martinale, Giovanni Mirabassi, Gismo Graf and others. Paoli died March 24th at 91.

William Gabel • Laura Mazich • Pierre Ouellette • Richard Sorenson

Chip Taylor (March 21st, 1940 - March 23rd, 2026) The songwriter had his tunes recorded by, among many others, Al Hirt, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Sonny Stitt/Bunky Green, Johnny Hodges, Steve Marcus, Armando Peraza, Nina Simone, Pinguin Moschner/Joe Sachse, Palast Orchester, Randy Crawford/Joe Sample and Giovani Leonesse. Taylor died March 23rd at 86.

Jean-Pierre Vignola (1949 - ~March 23, 2026) The French producer worked on albums released by Black & Blue and did programming for Jazz Club Lionel Hampton, Le Meridien Etoile, Jazz à Vienne, Internationales Jazzfestival Münster, Chicago Blues Festival and other events. Vignola died ~March 23rd, 2026 at 77.

Ed Bagatini • Riza Bekirov • Ken Peterson • David Wyckoff

Lars-Olof Gustavsson (??? - March 21st, 2026) The Swedish producer founded Silkheart, which released albums by Dennis Gonzalez, Steve Lacy, Ahmed Abdullah, Charles Brackeen, Michael Bisio, Kahil El’Zabar, David S. Ware, Charles Gayle, William Hooker, Other Dimensions in Music, Denis Charles, Brus Trio, Joel Futterman, Matthew Shipp, Ernest Dawkins, Jim Hobbs, Hal Russell, Roy Campbell, Sirone, Andrew Cyrille, AALY Trio, Kidd Jordan, Steve Swell and others. Gustavsson died March 21st at an unknown age.

Steve Houben (March 19th, 1950 - March 21st, 2026) The Belgian saxophonist/flutist (father to trumpeter Greg) had his own or collaborative albums on MD, Arpeges, Igloo, Jazz Cats, LDH, Timeless, B.Sharp, Miss You, Ricercar, Big Bang Music, Pylyjazz, RCB, Mogno Music, Alone Blue, Prisme and Universal Music France alongside credits with Guy Cabay, Christine Schaller, Saxo 1000, Chet Baker, Act Big Band, Bernadette Mottart, Jean-Christophe Renault, V.V. Systém, Pirly Zurstrassen, Claude Maurane, Chris Joris, Gilbert Isben, Diederik Wissels, Marcia Maria, Jean-Pierre Gebler, Olivier Collette, Emil Viklický, Melanie De Biasio, Charles Loos, Jacques Pirotton and others. Houben died March 21st at 76.

Steve Schwerner

Terry Cox (March 13th, 1937 - March 19th, 2026) The British drummer, best known as a member of Pentagle, also had credits with Sandy Brown, Johnny Hawksworth, Ray Warleigh, Harold McNair and Cleo Laine. Cox died March 19th at 89.

Chris Athens • Don Hattery • Dr. James Johnson, Jr. • Dick Lupino

Thorsten Benkenstein (June 1st, 1968 - March 15th, 2026) The German trumpeter had credits with BuJazzO, Thilo Berg, Big Band RTV Slovenija, Vienna Arts Orchestra, German Jazz Orchestra, Downtown Bigband, Dejan Terzić, Bobby Burgess, Peter Herbolzheimer, Harro Steffen, Peter Erskine, The United Jazz+Rock Ensemble, The New Art Orchestra, Sunday Night Orchestra, Ed Partyka, Ansgar Striepens, Berlin International Orchestra, Concert Jazz Orchestra Vienna, Thomas Gansch, NDR Big Band, George Gruntz, Gene Perla, Hans Schüttler and others. Benkenstein died March 15th at 57.

Martin Büttner • Tony Pollitt

Vlady Bas (February 2nd, 1929 - March 14th, 2026) The Spanish saxophonist/clarinetist (né Wladimiro Bas Zabache) was one of the last surviving members of the famed 1958 Newport International Youth Band, had albums on Acción, credits with Jazztet de Madrid, Pepe Nieto, Juan Carlos Calderón, Jayme Marques, Pepe Sánchez and others and his photographs used in albums by Paul Mauriat, Max Roach, Tamba Trio, Count Basie, Arthur Lyman and Tete Montoliu. Bas died March 14th at 97.

Carlos Aguilera • Gérard Boisnel • Jorge Canavati • Nashi Young Cho • Brian Hall • Carol Mathews

Keith Ingham (February 5th, 1938 - March 12th, 2026) The British pianist had his own or collaborative albums on 77, World Records Limited, Stomp Off, Jump, Audiophile, Angel, Progressive, Sackville, Challenge, Arbors and A-Records and credits with Susannah McCorkle, Bud Freeman, Bruce Turner/Johnny Barnes, Maxine Sullivan, Jerry Jerome, Marty Grosz, Harry Allen, Richard Sudhalter/Connie Jones, Rick Fay, Dave Van Ronk, Rick Hardeman, Paul Bacon, Bob Barnard, Bobby Gordon, Marian McPartland, Rebecca Kilgore, Joyce Breach, Nancy Nelson, Tommy Whittle, Barbara Jay, Stan King, Ron Russell and others. Ingham died March 12th at 88.

Frédéric Sicart (July 2nd, 1958 - March 11th, 2026) The French drummer worked with Jean-Michel Kajdan, Alain Mion, Pierre-Louis Garcia, Bertrand Richard, Pierre Blanchard, Gérard Gueudin, After In Paris, Aida Ayupova, Ramona Horvath, Francis Lockwood, Stéphane Collin, Dominique Grimaldi and others. Sicart died March 11th at 67.

Roger Clark

Fred Vigorito (April 2nd, 1943 - March 10th, 2026) The cornet player led The Galvanized Jazz Band for over five decades, was a member of The Easy Riders Jazz Band and worked with Alcide “Slow Drag” Pavageau, Bill Bissonnette, Darryl Adams, Brian Carrick, French Preservation New Orleans Jazz Band, New Orleans Delight and others. Vigorito died March 10th at 82.

Joe Bunich • Sal Gentile • Marko Govorčin • Günter Kiesant • Joe McDonald • Walter Martino • Bronwen Naish • Jean Quatre • Ingrid Schmithüsen • Pepe Teirikari

Jack Jeffers (December 10th, 1928 - March 5th, 2026) The trombonist/tuba player worked with Jazz Composers Orchestra, Carla Bley, Herbie Hancock, Hermeto Pascoal, Ernie Wilkins, Houston Person, Latin Jazz Quintet, Charles Earland, Warren Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Cal Tjader, Clark Terry, Randy Weston, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Dizzy Gillespie, Dom Um Romao, Charles Tolliver, Anthony Braxton, Yusef Lateef, Harold Vick, Charlie Barnet, Lena Horne, Charlie Haden, Al Grey, The American Jazz Orchestra, Grover Mitchell, Muhal Richard Abrams, Jimmy Heath, Nancie Banks, Ray Rivera, Chico O’Farrill, George Gee, Louie Bellson, Arturo O’Farrill, Peter Hand, Valery Ponomarev and others. Jeffers died March 5th at 97.

Andy Marsala (June 30th, 1942 - March 5th, 2026) The saxophonist was one of the last surviving members (and only American) of the famed 1958 Newport International Youth Band and later worked with Sal Salvador. Marsala died March 5th at 83.

Peter Bernhardt

Denney Goodhew (1952 - March 4th, 2026) The reed/wind player and pedagogue was a member of First Avenue, with a 1980 ECM album, and had credits with Don Mock, Joni Metcalf, Barney McClure, Allen Youngblood, Rich Halley, Emiko Kai, Anthony Braxton, Jerry Granelli, Greta Matassa, Andrienne Wilson, Wayne Horvitz, Howard Schanzer, Don Lanphere/Bud Shank, Jay Thomas, Joachim Mencel, New Brew, Sigi Busch, Ralph Towner, Without the Cat, Charlie Haden and others. Goodhew died March 4th at 73.

Earl Barton • Jim Russo • Jerry Semerad

Jack Chambers (July 12th, 1938 - March 2nd, 2026) The Canadian linguist authored biographies of Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Richard Twardzik. Chambers died March 2nd at 88.

Floye "Flo" Dreyer (August 1st, 1927 - March 2nd, 2026) The trumpeter/valve trombonist worked with Joy Cayler and International Sweethearts of Rhythm in the ‘40s, led her own band in the ’50s and decades later played with the North Miami Concert Band and Hallandale Symphonic Pops Orchestra. Dreyer died March 2nd at 98.

Bobby Felder • Christoph Grote-Beverborg • Dave Moore • Bob Power • Kerry Price • Michael Vernon

Torben Westergaard (October 9th, 1960 - February 28th, 2026) The Danish bassist had his own or collaborative albums on Olufsen, Gateway Music and his own TW Musik alongside credits with Holger Laumann, Florian Poser, Hendrik Meurkens, Silvana Malta, Steen Rasmussen and others. Westergaard died February 28th at 65.

Jan Huydts (February 25th, 1937 - February 27th, 2026) The Dutch pianist/keyboard player released albums on Philips, JG, Elektra, Omega International and Pinehill, was a member of Basic Train, Third Eye, Dutch Treat, The Swing Society and Dutch Jazz Orchestra and had credits with Greetje Kauffeld, Ann Burton, Herman Schoonderwalt, Chris Hinze, Frans Elsen, Rob Franken, Wim Overgaauw, Pim Jacobs, Pia Beck and others. Huydts died February 27th at 89.

Jean-Pierre Bretéché • Marc Kislak • Eddie Petersen • Neil Sedaka • Louis Jean van der Haegen

Tony Price (June 28th, 1941 - February 23rd, 2026) The tuba player, co-founder of the New York Tuba Quartet and a Sesame Street musician, had credits with Collins-Shepley Galaxy, Freddie Hubbard, Don Sebesky, Eddie Palmieri, Deodato, Buddy Rich, Al Stewart, Phil Woods, David Matthews, John Tropea, Stanley Turrentine, Barry Miles, Joe Farrell, David Spinozza, Michel Legrand, Wynton Marsalis, Manhattan Jazz Orchestra, Nnenna Freelon, Super Trombone and others. Price died February 23rd at 84.

Coleman Barks • Edgar Hoffmann • Peter Sigrist

Willie Colón (April 28th, 1950 - February 21st, 2026) The salsa trombonist/trumpeter/percussionist and bandleader had sideman credits with Jack McDuff, George Muribus, Flip Nuñez and Pete and Sheila Escovedo and his tunes recorded by Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaria, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Chris Washburne, Joe Fiedler and Miguel Zenón. Colón died February 21st at 75.

Bill Sinclair (??? - February 21st, 2026) The pianist worked with Bill Bissonnette, George "Kid Sheik" Cola, The Galvanized Jazz Band, Albert Burbank, The Easy Riders Jazz Band, New Orleans Quarter and others. Sinclair died February 21st at an unknown age.

Ron Bickel • Terry Brunt • Peter Brüssow • Polly Harrison • Justine Keeys • Mark Kennedy

Mark Holston (June 20th, 1946 - February 18th, 2026) The author wrote liner notes for albums released on Milestone, CTI, Concord, Evidence, RMM, Reservoir, Fantasy, Pablo, Blue Note and ZOHO. Holston died February 18th at 79.

Howard Chichester • John Fredrickson • Gordon Herrick • Jesse Jackson • Estelle Kokot • Ray Reach

Kazue Sawai (January 1st, 1941 - February 15th, 2026) Among the Japanese koto player’s credits were collaborations with Takeshi Inomata, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Derek Bailey, Michel Doneda, Tetsu Saitoh, Fumio Itabashi, Joëlle Léandre, Lê Quan Ninh, Joseph Jarman and others. Sawai died February 15th at 76.

Jim Friedman • John Galluzzi • Pavel Klikar • Valeri Nikitin • Michael Torres

Michel Portal (November 27th, 1935 - February 12th, 2026) The French saxophonist/clarinetist/bandoneon player, a key figure in his country’s nascent avant garde scene (as well as having parallel careers in classical music, chanson and soundtrack composing), had his own or collaborative albums on Pathé, Futura, CBS, Le Chant Du Monde, Cy, L’Escargot, hatHUT, Saravah, Trema, Harmonia Mundi, Label Bleu, Marianne International, Erato, Owl, Dreyfus, BMG, Universal Music, PAO, RSR, Sunnyside, Classics & Jazz and Intuition and credits with Pierre Michelot, Jean-Luc Ponty, Jef Gilson, Michel Hausser, Claude Bolling, François Tusques, André Hodeir, Ivan Jullien, Alan Silva, Jacques Thollot, George Gruntz, Sunny Murray, Aldo Romano, Henri Texier, Richard Galliano, Daniel Humair, Vienna Art Orchestra, Susanne Abbuehl, Sylvain Luc, Antoine Hervé, Miroslav Vitous, Jacky Terrasson, Nicolas Folmer, Emile Parisien, Ibrahim Maalouf, Nöel Balen and others. Portal died February 12th at 90.

Ken Walker (~1957 - February 12th, 2026) The bassist had a 2002 leader date alongside credits with Ron Miles, Fred Wesley, Barbara Paris, Lew Tabackin, Valery Ponomarev, Charles McPherson, Fred Hess, Bob Montgomery, Willie Hill, Al Hermann, Joni Janak, Keith Oxman, Colin Stranahan, Phil Woods/Carl Saunders, Pete Sommer, Brad Goode, Alan Hood, Richie Cole, Curtis Fuller, H2 Big Band, Gabriel Mervin, Ben Markley and others. Walker died February 12th at 69.

Uwe Dierksen • Roger Dismore • Marsha Evans • Tom Grosland • Henric Holmberg • Bias Tilford

Don Schlitten (March 4th, 1932 - February 9th, 2026) The legendary producer, designer, photographer and liner notes author had hundreds of credits in one or more of those roles first for Signal (which he helped establish), then the Prestige family of labels, Metronome, Riverside, RCA, Limelight, MPS, Cobblestone (which he co-founded), Atlantic, Muse, Onyx, Milestone, Columbia and finally his own Xanadu. Schlitten died February 9th at 93.

Jack Cadieu • Matti Caspi • Connie Fay • Kåre Grøttum • Mike Hayler • Trent Kynaston • Mitchell McElwain • Reinhard Schubert • Ebo Taylor • Alfie Wade, Jr.

Jack Petersen (October 25th, 1933 - February 5th, 2026) The guitarist built pedagogy departments at Berklee College of Music, University of North Texas and University of North Florida, worked with Billy Taylor, Peggy Lee, Stan Kenton, Milt Hinton, Dave Brubeck, Doc Severinsen, Henry Mancini, Buddy DeFranco, Herb Ellis, Clark Terry and others, had albums on Music Minus One and Four Leaf Clover and recording credits with Phil Wilson, Rich Matteson, Harvey Phillips, Jamey Aebersold, Mike Vax, The NTSU Jazz Guitars and University Of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band. Petersen died February 5th at 92.

Alain Barrabes • Vlastimilo Bednarík • Don Coppola • Ken Wiley

Jacek Mielcarek (May 17th, 1964 - February 4th, 2026) The Polish saxophonist had albums on Polskie Radio Opole, Jazz Forum and Audio Cave, some with his bassist son Jakub, alongside credits with Anna Panas and others. Mielcarek died February 4th at 61.

Tommy Crook • Meisho Tosha

Christian Ducasse (1954 - February 3rd, 2026) The French photographer had his images used in albums released on Free Lance, IDA, Owl, CELP, Sunnyside, Soul Note, Sketch, Enfance Et Musique, Night Bird Music, Le Chant Du Monde, BMC, La Buissonne, Cristal, Marge, Atelier Sawano, Bee Jazz, Nocturne, O+ Music, Tzadik, Clean Feed, Plus Loin Music, Roguart, Savant, Jazz Unité, Leo, Great Winds, OutNote, Aztec Musique, Corbett vs. Dempsey, Storyville, Elemental Music and Label Ouest. Ducasse died February 3rd at ~72.

Pete Devine • Roberto Sánchez Ferrer • Billy Marcus 

Tim Motion (1936 - February 2nd, 2026) The British photographer, long based in Portugal, published Jazz Portraits – An Eye For the Sound and had his images used in releases on JTC, Sepia, Pizza Express, Finesse, Souvenir, Wave, Arbors, Choice, Joy, Classic Jazz and Jazz Academy. Motion died February 2nd at 89.

Ken Peplowski (May 23rd, 1959 - February 2nd, 2026) The clarinetist/saxophonist had his own or collaborative albums on Concord, Groove Jams, Arbors, Koch, Jump, Menus And Music, Mainstem, Nagel Heyer, Crown Jewels, Woodville, Capri, Venus, Victoria Company, Merfangle, Cellar Music and Advance Music and credits with Richard Iacona, Benny Goodman, Dan Barrett, Loren Schoenberg, Andy Stein, Peter Ecklund, Marty Paich, Howard Alden, George Shearing, Hank Jones, Terry Waldo, Daryl Sherman, Charlie Byrd, Alain Bouchet, Allan Vaché, Johnny Varro, Spike Robinson, George Masso, Randy Sandke, Stan King, Terry Blaine, Lars Erstrand, Tom Postilio, Steve Allen, Miyuki Koga, Lucie Arnaz, Travelin' Light, Keith Ingham, Ed Polcer, Marty Grosz, Eden Atwood, Ruby Braff, Frank Vignola, Satoru Oda, The Blue Birds Society Orchestra, Kjell Fernström, Donny Byrne, The International Allstars, Chuck Redd, Dick Hyman, Jim Cullum, Brian Lemon, Ed Saindon, David Ostwald, The Metronote Quintet, Michael Moore, John Pizzarelli, Mitsuaki Kishi, Stolle & Svare Jazzquintet, BBC Big Band, Paula West, Rebecca Kilgore, Barbara Carroll, Junko Mine, Klüvers Big Band, Wendee Glick, Jessica Molaskey, Statesmen of Jazz, Bucky Pizzarelli/Ray Kennedy, Eddie Higgins, Carol Sloane, Marilyn Scott, Carol Weisman, Trisha O’Brien, Cheryl Bentyne, Holly Hofmann/Bill Cunliffe, Pete and Will Anderson, Katie Thiroux, Brent Fischer, Michel Pastre, Sakuya Tsuruta, DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Christof Sänger, Diego Figueiredo, Allen Lowe, Ted Rosenthal, Erik Leuthäuser and others. Peplowski died February 2nd at 66.

Aman Zzyzx

Andy Cooper (February 23rd, 1942 - February 1st, 2026) The Scottish clarinetist had a handful of new millennium leader dates alongside credits with Alan Elsdon, Kenny Ball and others. Cooper died February 1st at 83.

Graham Morgan (April 30th, 1937 - February 1st, 2026) The Australian drummer worked with Charles White, Graeme Lyall, John Dankworth, Cleo Laine, Jabula, Arena, Jackie Orszaczky, Peter Martin, Australian Radio Rhythm Orchestra and others. Morgan died February 1st at 88.

Ralph Boroff • Michael Bossong • Daniel Cheese • Mel Pauze • H. Robert Reynolds

Imre Kőszegi (December 6, 1944 - January 29th, 2026) The Hungarian drummer had his own or collaborative albums on JG, HTSART, YVP Music and Fon-Trade Music, was a member of The Super Trio and Saturnus and worked with Tommy Vig, Gábor Szabó, György Szabados, János Fogarasi, Gusztáv Csík, Rudolf Tomsits, Lajos Dudas, György Vukán, Aladár Pege, Stjepko Gut, Jo Mikovich, Al Casey, Annah Dániel, Béla Szakcsi Lakatos, Csaba Deseő, Hannes Beckmann, Attila Zoller, Mihály Ráduly, György Geiger, Classy Four and others. Kőszegi died January 29th at 81.

Craig Faltin • Terry Mohn • Jack Peaker • Bili Redd • Hans Schütz • Michael Skinkus • Manfred Schmelzer

James "Mingo" Lewis (December 8th, 1953 - January 27th, 2026) The percussionist had credits with, among others, Carlos Santana/John McLaughlin, Return to Forever, Al DiMeola, Bennie Maupin, Paul McCandless, Bill Summers and Headhunters. Lewis died January 27th at 72.

Juliane Backman • Norbert Robak • Pedro José Rivero Ruiz • James Sallis • Bill Willis

Richie Beirach (May 23rd, 1947 - January 26th, 2026) The pianist, long based in Germany, had his own or collaborative albums on ECM, Trio, International Phonograph Inc., CMP, Eastwind, Polydor, CBS/Sony, Pathfinder, Columbia, Owl, Triloka, Ken Music, EAU, Concord Jazz, SteepleChase, Life Limit Dream, Alfa Jazz, Evidence, Hornblower, Onoff, Venus, Trial, Laika, Nabel, Intuition, Nuromusic, Sunnyside, RadJazz, OutNote, Kulak, Neuklang, ZoHo, Origin, Pony Canyon, ACT, Jazzline, JazzSick and O-tone Music, a half-century-plus partnership with Dave Liebman, including co-leading or playing on dozens of each other’s albums and co-founding Quest, and credits with Stan Getz, Frank Tusa, Jeremy Steig, Badal Roy, Pat LaBarbera, Chet Baker, Dizzy Reece, John Scofield, George Ohtsuka, Zbigniew Seifert, John Abercrombie, George Adams, John McNeil, Stephen Roane, Conrad Herwig, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Ron McClure, Philippe Kahn, Anders Bergcrantz, George Mraz, Mike Richmond, Masami Nakagawa, Paul Wertico, Nora York, Frédéric Favarel, Steve Davis, Steve Smith, Hubert Winter, Gabriele Donati, Bienne City Arkestra, Lee Konitz, Michel Portal, Patrick Manzecchi, Fred Farell, John Moulder and others. Beirach died January 26th at 78. 

Béla Lattmann (June 20th, 1960 - January 26th, 2026) The Hungarian electric bassist worked with Tony Lakatos, Attila László, László Gárdonyi, Attila Malecz, Horváth Kornél, Földvári Gergely, Peter Massink/Viktor Bori, Morgan Workshop, Berki Tamás, Béla Zsoldos, Gyula Babos, Dagobert Böhm, Cotton Club Singers, Borlai Gergő and others. Lattmann died January 26th at 65.

Ian McDougall (June 14th, 1938 - January 26th, 2026) The Canadian trombonist had his own or collaborative albums on CBC Radio Canada, Energy, Intercan, Ten Mile Music Production, Concord Jazz, Barbarian Jazz, Cellar Live and his own imprint, was a member of The Brass Connection and Pacific Salt and worked with John Dankworth, Dave Robbins, Moe Koffman, Rob McConnell, Hagood Hardy, Rick Wilkins, Sammy Nestico, Fraser MacPherson, Art Ellefson, Hugh Fraser and others. McDougall died January 26th at 87.

Harry Clarck • Stan DeVore • Sly Dunbar • Bira Haway • Hardy Hepp • Buzz McCoy

Christoph Stiefel (July 29th, 1961 - ~January 24th, 2026) The Swiss pianist had his own or collaborative albums on Biber, Pangani, Jazzline, Make Up Your World, Enja, Neuklang, Traumton, Basho, Challenge, Nwog and Clap Your Hands and credits with Max Lässer, Florian Egli, Andreas Vollenweider, The Intergalactic Maiden Ballet, Friedemann Witecka, Düde Dürst/Christian Ostermeier, Teddy Bärlocher, Jonas C. Häfeli, Stephan Rigert, Robert Doc Mthalane, Lars Lindvall, Christian Münchinger, Stefano Saccon and others. Stiefel died ~January 24th at 64.

Jan Berger • Rusty Crain • Ted Druhot • Mike Hanns • Ronald Kaplan • Angelika Mann • Harvey Pittel • Michel "Boss" Quéraud • George Smith III • Kristinn Svavarsson • James E. Trotta • Henry West

Geoff Culverwell (??? - January 20th, 2026) The New Zealander trumpeter had credits with NZ Trading Company, Quincy Conserve, The Golden Horn Big Band, 1860 Band, Rodger Fox and others. Culverwell died January 20th at an unknown age.

Beti Đorđević • Robert Sarkis

Heddy Boubaker (March 3rd, 1963 - January 19th, 2026) The French multi-instrumentalist had his own or collaborative albums on Creative Sources, Stasisfield, Insubordinations, Petit Label, Ayler, Audition, Intonema, Mikroton, Re:konstruKt, Un Rêve Nu, trAce Label, Why Not Ltd, Electronic Musik, Live Actions, CONV, Amplified Music Pollution and Bruits Netlabel. Boubaker died January 19th at 62.

Peter Rückert • Senka Veletanlić

Ralph Towner (March 1st, 1940 - January 18th, 2026) The guitarist/pianist co-founded Oregon in 1971, the group making dozens of albums for Vanguard, Elektra, ECM, Portrait, veraBra, Chesky, Intuition, CAMJazz and other labels, had his own large discography for ECM from 1972-2022 as well as releasing dates for other imprints and worked with Duke Pearson, Paul Winter, Weather Report, Horacee Arnold, Clive Stevens, Keith Jarrett, Larry Coryell. John Abercrombie, Jan Garbarek, David Friesen, Terry Plumeri, Kenny Wheeler, Egberto Gismonti, Azimuth, Fred Simon/Michael Bard, Trilok Gurtu, Vince Mendoza, Jerry Granelli, Howard Schanzer, Andrea Marcelli, Pino Daniela, Marc Copland, Michel Portal, Maria João, Bill Bruford, Andy Middleton, Maria Pia De Vito, Salvatore Bonafede, Charlie Haden, MGT, Nancy King, Javier Girotto, SFJazz Collective and others. Towner died January 18th at 85.

Gary Burke • Renaud Caspar • Ken Durland

Frank Clayton (November 1st, 1942 - January 16th, 2026) The bassist/drummer (former spouse and collaborator of Jay Clayton) worked with Albert Ayler, Sam Rivers, Charles Mingus, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, McCoy Tyner, Andrew Hill, Leroy Jenkins, Cecil McBee, Eddie Harris, Barry Harris, Julian Priester, Gary Peacock, Marc Levin, Cha Cha Shaw, Herb Ellis, Eddie Gomez, Von Freeman, Randy Brecker, Jaki Byard, Lee Konitz, Mal Waldron, Billy Hart, James Williams, Gary Karr, Byron Morris, Ralph Towner, Steve Reich, Black Yiddish Trio, Max Roach, Floyd Standifer, Marc Seales, Chuck and Joni Metcalf, Ernestine Anderson, Jim Knapp, Jabo Ward, Chuck Deardorf, Jay Thomas, Buddy Catlett, Andy Statman, David Haney, George Cables and others. Clayton died January 16th at 83.

Carlos Ward (May 1st, 1940 - January 16th, 2026) The Panama-born saxophonist had a 1998 Leo date then self-released several albums in the ‘90s and was a member of the funk group B.T. Express to go along with credits under John Coltrane, Karl Berger, Don Cherry, Roswell Rudd, Rashied Ali, Dollar Brand, Paul Motian, Grachan Moncur III, Clifford Thornton, Carla Bley, Kip Hanrahan, Sathima Bea Benjamin, Teo Macero, Amina Claudine Myers, Cecil Taylor, Pheeroan akLaff, Paris Reunion Band, Frank Lowe, Dennis González, Don Pullen, Paul Haines, Ed Blackwell, Phillip Wilson and Bob Stewart. Ward died January 16th at 85.

Jean Baily • Judyie Al-Bilali • Pat Blackwell • Steve Bowman • Barrie Boyes • Jorge Caicedo • Joe Coria • Wallace Crawford • Frank Cuomo • Dave DeBree • Dan Duparc • Randolph Fontenette • Lamar Gaines • Paul Hardcastle, Jr. • Pearse Harvey • Paul Ingle • Jim Ingram • Hans Linder • Jeff Mitchell • Brian Plourde • Rob Rincon • Ado Schlier • Mark Weiss • Luli Widharmadi • Max Zape

Rick Haydon (June 24th, 1950 - January 11th, 2026) The guitarist and educator had albums on Mel Bay and Jazz Compass and worked with Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Bucky Pizzarelli, Mulgrew Miller, John Pizzarelli, Asa Harris, Ray Kennedy, Jim Widner, Birch Creek Academy Band, Brett Stamps and others. Haydon died January 11th at 75. 

Ryan Anthony • Zéno Bianu • James Brisbane • Jeff Callaway • Jim Day • Jean-Claude Felix • Roger Keay • John Wallace • Karl Gert zur Heide

Roberto "Fats" Fernandez (June 7th, 1937 - January 7th, 2026) The Argentine trumpeter had albums on Interdisc and Melopea and credits with The Georgians Jazz Band, Jorge López Ruiz, Clare Fischer/Jorge Calandrelli, Alberto Favero, Jorge Anders, Angel Pocho Gatti, Nestor Astarita, Mingo Martino, Marcelo Fraga, Alfombra Magica, Fernando Tarrés, Mauricio Einhorn, Pocho Lapouble, Adriana Varela, Sergio Paolucci, Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional Argentina, Quintino Cinalli, Adalberto Cevasco and others. Fernandez died January 7th at 88.

Rebecca Kilgore (September 24th, 1949 - January 7th, 2026) The singer has albums on PHD Music, Arbors, Jazzology, Jump, Audiophile, HeavyWood Music, Blue Swing, PDX Uke, Swingbros Co. and Cherry Pie Music and credits with Dave Frishberg, Hal Smith, Tall Jazz, Dan Barrett, Kim Scanlon, John Sheridan, Woody Hite, Bryan Shaw, Duke Heitger, Lino Patruno, Lars Estrand, Harry Allen/Joe Cohn, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Tate, Echoes of Swing and others. Kilgore died January 7th at 76.

Bert Bevans • Vic Garbarini • Dave Hetherington • Gary Lindner • Michael Peslikis • Rolf Riehm • Brian White

Wiro Mahieu (1946 - January 5th, 2026) The Dutch bassist was a member of Low Motion Trio and One Warp and worked with Luluk Purwanto, Ineke Van Doorn, Rob Van Der Broeck, Pascal Vermeer, Jeroen Pek, Willem Hellbreker, Amina Figarova, Paul Van Kemenade, Bernhard Reinke, I Compani, Colette Wickenhagen, Ad Colen, Pierre Courbois and others. Mahieu died January 5th at 61.

Glenn Ayers • Adrián Goizueta

Jacques Muyal (~1940 - ~January 4th, 2026) The Moroccan producer worked on albums by Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Idrees Sulieman, Thelonious Monk, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Joe Pass, Oscar Dennard, Ed Cherry, Tommy Flanagan, Claudio Roditi, Roy Hargrove, Roberta Gambarini, Hank Jones, Kenny Barron, Mauricio Einhorn, Lula Galvão, Randy Weston and others. Muyal died ~January 4th at ~85.

Eddie K. Allen • Stephen E. Braude • Anita Dixon-Brown • Sebastian Giacco • Sir Bob Hill • Rick Lazaroff • Sujeong Lee • Jim Lodge • Pete Teague • Logan Walker, Sr.

Tony Carr (October 24th, 1927 - January 2nd, 2026) The Maltese drummer/percussionist, long based in England, had credits with Bill Le Sage, John Cameron, Danny Moss, Cleo Laine, Vic Lewis, Harold McNair, Ronnie Ross, Jack Parnell, Chris Spedding, Freddy Cole, Dick Morrissey and Tony Hymas/Daryl Runswick Big Band alongside various pop and rock work. Carr died January 2nd at 98.

Josie Falbo • Trevor Holroyd • Yannis Ioannidis • Vera Jeanne Materre • Kenny Weir • Nyala Wright Nolen