Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 30, 1931 in Chicago, IL

Death

:

April 20, 2007 in Jersey City, NJ

 

Andrew Hill was an American jazz pianist and composer who was born on June 30, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church organist and his mother a pianist. Hill began playing the piano at a young age and was soon performing in his father's church. Hill attended the University of Chicago, where he studied music theory and composition. He also played in various jazz groups around the city, including with saxophonist Von Freeman. In 1955, Hill moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. In New York, Hill quickly became a sought-after pianist, playing with jazz legends such as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Eric Dolphy. He also began recording his own music, releasing his debut album, "So in Love," in 1959. Hill's music was known for its complex harmonies and rhythms, as well as its incorporation of elements from classical music and avant-garde jazz. He was a prolific composer, writing over 100 original compositions throughout his career. One of Hill's most notable performances was at the 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival, where he played with his quintet featuring saxophonist Joe Henderson. The performance was well-received and helped to establish Hill as a leading figure in the jazz world. Hill continued to record and perform throughout the 1960s and 1970s, releasing albums such as "Point of Departure" and "Passing Ships." He also worked as a sideman on numerous recordings, including with saxophonist Jackie McLean and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. In the 1980s, Hill took a break from performing to focus on teaching. He taught at Portland State University in Oregon and the University of California, San Diego, where he was a professor of music until his retirement in 2006. Hill returned to performing in the 1990s, releasing several albums on the Blue Note label, including "Dusk" and "Time Lines." He also received numerous awards and honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1989 and a Jazz Masters Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2008. Hill passed away on April 20, 2007, at the age of 75. He left behind a legacy as one of the most innovative and influential jazz pianists and composers of his time. His music continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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