Drummer Charli Persip has died at the age of 91. His playing career began locally in New Jersey and he then appeared with Tadd Dameron and Dizzy Gillespie in the 1950s and 60s as he started to establish a strong reputation as a powerful player and great technician. Persip also led his own band the Jazz Statesmen that featured Freddie Hubbard and later established the long-running Superband. Persip is on records by, among others, Ernestine Anderson, Dizzy Gillespie, (inc. Dizzy Gillespie at Newport) Randy Weston, Roland Kirk (inc. We Free Kings) Red Garland, Harry Edison, Don Ellis, Frank Foster, Gil Evans (inc. Out of the Cool), Benny Golson, Billy Eckstine, Sonny Stitt and Quincy Jones. Tributes on social media to Persip include: from drummer Matt Wilson: ''Mr. Charli Persip was an important contributor to the legacy of jazz drumming along with being an amazing educator.'' From drummer Vince Wilburn Jr: ''Peaceful Journey Mr. Charli Persip'' and from drummer EJ Strickland: ''Just heard the sad news that another one of my teachers has passed on. The legendary drummer Charli Persip. I absolutely love his playing with Dizzy Gillespie and with The Charli Persip Superband.''