The great jazz pianist, Horace Silver, who co-founded the Jazz Messengers and pioneered ‘Hard Bob,’ died today at his home in New Rochelle, N.Y. He was 85.

According to his son Gregory, Silver died of natural causes.

For the Los Angeles Times obit, go here.

For Billboard’s obit, go here.

For NPR’s obit, go here.

Listen now to some awesome jazz.

Horace Silver 5tet – “Song For My Father” 1968:

“Señor Blues” 1956:

“Blowin’ The Blues Away,” Newport 1959:

Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers – “Nica’s Dream” (Silver on piano) 1956

— A Days Of The Crazy-Wild blog post —