The death at 81 has been reported of double bassist Isla Eckinger who contributed to a landmark in the history of jazz by appearing alongside drummer Clarence Becton on the first ever ECM album Free at Last which was led by pianist Mal Waldron recorded in November 1969. Swiss site onlinereports.ch report that Basel player Eckinger, who also played vibes, died in a Dornach clinic on Thursday. Isla Eckinger, top. Photo: Manfred Scheffner
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Nate Chinen pays tribute to Bob Porter who has died. The producer, writer and radio presenter was 80. Chinen writes of Porter: ''He was a jazz and blues enthusiast with a keen ear, strong opinions and a sharp mind for detail when he produced his first album for Prestige — Professor Soul, a 1968 date by organist Charles Kynard. That same year, Porter produced [Houston] Person’s Soul Dance! and Harold Mabern’s Rakin’ and Scrapin’; he was on his way.''
Read more via WBGO. Bob Porter, photo: Paul Wexler