Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

September 27, 1924 in New York City, NY

Death

:

July 31, 1966 in New York City, NY

 

Bud Powell was a renowned American jazz pianist and composer who was born on September 27, 1924, in Harlem, New York City. He was the youngest of four children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a stride pianist, and his mother was a singer. Powell's older brother, William, was also a pianist and played with the likes of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Powell began playing the piano at a young age and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He was largely self-taught and learned by listening to recordings of jazz greats such as Art Tatum and Earl Hines. By the time he was a teenager, Powell was already playing professionally in local clubs and bars. In the early 1940s, Powell became a regular at Minton's Playhouse, a legendary jazz club in Harlem. It was here that he met and began playing with other young jazz musicians who would go on to become some of the most influential figures in the genre, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk. Powell's playing style was characterized by his virtuosic technique, lightning-fast runs, and intricate harmonies. He was known for his ability to improvise complex solos on the spot, and his playing was often compared to that of Art Tatum. In 1949, Powell recorded his first album, "The Amazing Bud Powell," which featured some of his most famous compositions, including "Un Poco Loco" and "Dance of the Infidels." The album was a critical and commercial success and helped establish Powell as one of the leading figures in the bebop movement. Throughout the 1950s, Powell continued to record and perform, both as a solo artist and as a member of various jazz ensembles. He struggled with mental health issues throughout his career, however, and was hospitalized several times for alcoholism and other health problems. Despite these challenges, Powell continued to compose and record some of his most famous works during this period, including "Parisian Thoroughfare," "Bouncing with Bud," and "Tempus Fugit." His music was characterized by its complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and virtuosic piano playing. In the late 1950s, Powell moved to Paris, where he continued to perform and record. He became a fixture in the city's jazz scene and was widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz pianists of his time. Powell's health continued to deteriorate, however, and he suffered a series of strokes in the 1960s that left him partially paralyzed and unable to play the piano. He continued to compose, however, and his music continued to be performed and recorded by other musicians. Bud Powell died on July 31, 1966, at the age of 41. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest jazz pianists and composers of all time, and his music continues to be celebrated and studied by musicians and fans around the world.

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