Influential US jazz player Motian dies

Influential US jazz drummer and composer, Paul Motian, died this week in New York, aged 80.

Jazz producer Hans Wendl revealed that Mr Motian has died from complications from Myelodisplastic Syndrome, a bone disorder.

In the latter half of his career the musician became a band leader, playing with saxophonist Joe Lovano, guitarist Bill Frisell and pianist Masabumi Kikuchi among others, and he also worked as a composer.

However, as far back as the 1950s, Mr Motian began to shine in the influential core of the jazz world, according to The New York Times, both as a member of Bill Evans’ trio and later, in the 1970s, with Keith Jarrett’s American quartet.

“Paul Motian was my hearbeat,” Mr Wendl quoted bassist and playing partner Charlie Haden as saying on hearing of his friend’s death.

Mr Lovano described Mr Motian as “one of most influential mystical and magical musicians of all time”.