In the course of this year, we bid farewell to remarkably prolific composers and iconic musicians, encompassing both the realms of popular and classical music. If you find a moment to spare, consider immersing yourself in their musical creations. Take the time to reflect on and appreciate the profound impact they had on the tapestry of our daily lives through their invaluable contributions to the world of music.
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Ryuichi Sakamoto
Oscar-winning Japanese composer, pianist, record producer.
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Ahmad Jamal
American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and educator.
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Kaija Saariaho
Prolific Finnish composer.
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Burt Bacharach
American composer, songwriter, record producer, and pianist.
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Bill Lee
American jazz bassist and composer.
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Lewis Spratlan
American music academic and composer.
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Catherine Christer Hennix
Swedish musician, poet, philosopher, mathematician and visual artist.
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David Del Tredici
Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer.
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Wayne Shorter
American jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader.
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Carla Bley
American jazz composer, pianist, organist and bandleader.
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Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou
Ethiopian composer, pianist, and nun.
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Gloria Coates
Wisconsin-born prolific American composer.
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André Watts
American classical pianist.
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Peter Nero
American pianist and pops conductor.
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Karl Berger
German-American jazz pianist, vibraphonist, composer, and educator.
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Peter Brötzmann
German jazz saxophonist and clarinetist
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George Winston
American pianist.
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Yukihiro Takahashi
Japanese musician, drummer, singer, record producer.
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Menahem Pressler
Israeli-American pianist and academic teacher.
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Tom Whitlock
American songwriter and composer.
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Don Sebesky
American composer, arranger, conductor, and jazz trombonist.
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Erkin Koray
Turkish musician, composer, singer and guitar player.
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Huey "Piano" Smith
American R&B pianist.
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Ivan Conti
Brazilian drummer, percussionist and composer.
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Reuben Wilson
American jazz organist.
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Bobby Osborne
American bluegrass musician.
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Tony Bennett
American jazz and traditional pop singer.
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Zita Carno
American pianist.
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Alice Parker
American composer, arranger, conductor.
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Music provides us with the chance to both escape into dreams and anchor ourselves in reality. The loss of artists who mirror and illuminate diverse facets of ourselves and the world we inhabit, or strive to create, can make it seem unimaginable to envision a world without their musical guidance.
We extend our respects and thanks to every composer and musician we lost this year, as well as to all the other names we regrettably overlooked.