Jaki Byard

American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader and educator
Born June 15, 1922 in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, died February 11, 1999 in Queens in New York, New York, USA
Primarily a pianist, Byard recorded on a number of different instruments and was considered to be an accomplished alto and tenor saxophonist, though he also played organ, guitar, bass and several other instruments. He did not gain prominence until he worked with Maynard Ferguson at the end of the 1950s, though was primarily heard as a leader or soloist from the mid-1960s. He recorded extensively for Prestige during the decade as a leader and subsequently led recording sessions for many labels in the U.S.A., Europe and Japan. Byard led a big band called The Apollo Stompers, making several recordings with them. He appeared on duo piano recordings with Earl Hines, Howard Riley and Tommy Flanagan (the latter not released until 2013). His most important work as a sideman was with Charles Mingus, especially the 1964 sextet that toured the U.S.A. and Europe. A renowned jazz educator, the pianist taught at the New England Conservatory of Music. When Byard was found dead in his home in the Hollis section of Queens, New York City in February 1999, he was initially thought to have suffered a stroke, but it was determined that he was shot with a small caliber weapon. The homicide remains unsolved.