Paul Motian obituary

Innovative free-jazz percussionist who took improvisation to new heightsThe American percussionist, composer and bandleader Paul Motian, who has died aged 80, was perhaps most famous for enhancing the work of a brilliant jazz pianist. This he did not just once, but three times: in Bill Evans's pioneering trio from 1959 to 1962, over the next two years with Paul Bley, and then with Keith Jarrett from 1966 to 1977. Motian added "beautiful" to the adjectives associated with the drummer's art, and ...

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