McCoy Tyner (1938–2020)

McCoy Tyner, a quintessential modern pianist, has died at the age of eighty-one. The New York Times has an obituary. And here’s a solo recital from 2007.

One of the highlights of my dad’s life as a tile contractor: doing work in McCoy Tyner’s house. My dad loved jazz and knew exactly whom he was working for — and getting to listen to through much of the day. And he never forgot Tyner’s saying that he was “going to bag some Z s.”

I get so tired of having to type the words an obituary, as musicians and writers I’ve admired for ages disappear.