Jaki Byard
Jaki Byard Background information Birth name John Arthur Byard Born ( 1922-06-15 ) June 15, 1922 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. Died February 11, 1999 (1999-02-11) (aged 76) New York City, New York Genres Jazz Occupation(s) Musician, composer, arranger Instruments Piano tenor saxophone alto saxophone various others Years active 1930s–1999 Labels Candid Futura MPS Muse Prestige Soul Note Associated acts Eric Dolphy Booker Ervin Roland Kirk Charles Mingus John Arthur " Jaki " Byard (June 15, 1922 – February 11, 1999) was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger. Mainly a pianist, he also played tenor and alto saxophones, among several other instruments. He was known for his eclectic style, incorporating everything from ragtime and stride to free jazz. Byard played with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and was a member of bands led by bassist Charles Mingus for several years, including on several studio and concert reco...