Pianist Junior Mance has died. He was 92. His wife Gloria Clayborne Mance announced the sad news.
Remembered for his work with Gene Ammons, Charlie Parker (at the Beehive) and Dinah Washington, in later life Mance was a teacher at the New School in New York and taught Brad Mehldau among other future stars.
The documentary Sunset and the Mockingbird told the pianist's story relating how Mance suffered in the latter years of his life from dementia but who experienced the deep love of his manager and soulmate, Gloria.
Mance is a continuing influence especially via his own trio records, his sophisticated touch and extraordinary flair, on a host of today's jazz notables, including singer José James who he appeared with on The Dreamer, and Ethan Iverson. RIP
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