Andrew Hill - R.I.P.

[J.A.W.]

Just read on another forum that Andrew Hill died today. Terrible news. I still regret missing his 2006 Amsterdam gig.

[walto]

Huge loss.

[Gary Sisco]

Oh, man. A huge loss. I hadn't known he was ill until just recently. I will always remember his great set -- one of the top handful I've ever heard, anytime -- at the Knit the night of the first-ever NY Hang in JCS days. And lots of fine recordings, obvious to say. I got to hear him twice, live. A great loss to American music and composition.

RIP, Mr. Hill.

[hornplayer]

It's a gigantic loss. He sure fought hard.

Thank goodness he left us so much great music.

Rest in Peace. I'll have a bagel for you Sunday.....

[Chris D]

A genius leaves us. Thank you for the music and memories.

[Lois Gilbert]

Andrew Hill's died at 4 a.m. today, April 20, 2007, several years after being diagnosed with lung cancer. He was 75 years old and lived in Jersey City, NJ.


Hill, born June 30, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois (contrary to some previously published places and dates dates), had a lengthy international career as performer and recording artist, and educator (at Portland State University; he also gave master classes at New York University, and elsewhere; he leaves a voluminous and highly varied recorded legacy, dating from the 1950s (So In Love) to his 2006 trio album Time Lines (Blue Note), named to many critics' top ten lists. Hill is survived by his wife Joanne Robinson Hill, and a neice, nephew and cousin, besides a devoted coterie of friends, typically creative artists and perceptive fans.

Funeral and tribute information has not been determined.

[Brian Olewnick]

A shame. Was always hoping to catch him around town (Jersey City) as he lived only a couple blocks away. Saw him one morning in the local bodega a couple years ago buying a paper, but that was it.

[Gary Sisco]

I just listened to "Judgment" again a couple of nights back. I hadn't in a long while and it's as great as my memory said it was.

[Robert de St. Loup]

Oh, no. Sorry to hear it. I was just listening to Compulsion on the way into work today and thinking how much I consistently like his stuff.

[Jason Bivins]

RIP, Mr. Hill, and thanks for all the music.

[Root Doctor]

His Blue Note recordings have been some of my favorites over the last few years. RIP, Mr. Hill.

[Dan G]

From the notes to "From California with Love":
At the zenith of my Blue Note recordings, I found that fame and fortune were not my reward, but fame and poverty. This was hard to believe, for I had seen artists like Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, Oscar Peterson, etc., pass through Chicago. They weren’t surviving but living.

At the top of my promotion, the English Rock groups were storming America. I had two alternatives: go commercial, or find a way to maintain my lifestyle. I was born with the ability to play anything I heard, so music would be with me regardless of what road I took.

At first I became bitter and hurled insults at those who were keeping me alive; since then I have found that could live without condescending and create a work of art. This record is proof of that.

While making this record I had a fear – had I lost the energy and conception that New York City is allegedly supposed to give an artist? While editing my tapes I had an opportunity to hear current tapes of more promoted pianists. I must say that this record is equal to or superior to anything on the market. This record should give the listener many great moments. What I’m trying to do is paint a picture with my music.

Though he may not have reached the level of fame and fortune he'd once hoped for, I think he had a lot of respect from the jazz world. He didn't record as much as many artists do, but his consistency level was amazing - great records from 5 decades. And though the 60s BN records may be the things he is most remembered for, the 80s records on Soul Note, such as Shades and Verona Rag, are just as good.

I stole the title "Point of Departure" for my radio show in the 90s as a tribute to him.

Thanks for the music Mr. Hill.

[groover]

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

Andrew Hill's died at 4 a.m. today, April 20, 2007, several years after being diagnosed with lung cancer. He was 75 years old and lived in Jersey City, NJ.

Guess it's official. Sad news.

[José Domingos Raffaelli]

I'm completely distressed with these very sad news.
I'll never forget the only time Andrew Hill played here in Rio de Janeiro three years ago. It was an absorbing and magnificent concert, he played so beautifully.
It was his only Brazilian appearance. I was so luck to be there.

R.I.P. Mr. Andrew Hill, we'll never forget how great your music was and how much happiness you bring to all of us around the world. Thank you.

[bernard lyons]

The primary reason for my starting a music series in Baltimore was to present Andrew Hill. It was a night I will treasure for reasons on and off stage.

RIP Andrew.

[rollhead]

Thank you for your art.

[Ron Thorne]

This is a major loss, indeed. Thankfully, Andrew left us a musical legacy to savor and be amazed by for years to come.



R.I.P., Andrew Hill~

[Rob C]

Oh, boy--terrible news. He was one of the greats.

[RHFusillo]

I figured this was coming, after a recent New York Times article about him.

RIP

[Coda]

He was a giant, a monster composer, and a fine pianist. This is very sad news.

My condolences to your family, friends, and jazz community.

RIP Mr. Hill, and thank you for all the great music you have made for us.

[Gentle Giant]

Fuck.

I'm glad he's not suffering. Also glad he kept coming back and putting out his distinctive musical vision. His recordings are all we have left, and they'll do.

Condolences to his loved ones.

[rene]

My very first andrew hill recording. loved him ever since!


RIP, Mr. Hill....

[Clay Fink]

Too bad.

I just cued up "Judgment".

[claude]

This isn't a surprise, but that doesn't make it any less painful. Damn, he was one of the best!!

[lazarus]

I´m so sorry. He was one of my favorites.

R.I.P.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Originally Posted by rene

My very first andrew hill recording. loved him ever since!


RIP, Mr. Hill....

Mine, too!

Thanks for the great music!

[burning dog]

Very sad

One of the greats.

[Gerardo A]

RIP, sir!

[jazzy mary]

Oh dear. A huge loss. I was lucky to have been able to see him live many times & to meet him.

[Tom Storer]

I saw him with the Timelines band last year and it was one of the most exciting concerts I can remember seeing. Completely, thrillingly alive and in the moment. R.I.P.