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2023 In Remembrance

  • Tina Turner wearing a black dress with sequins with arms stretched outward.
    Hermann J. Knippertz
    /
    AP
    In Remembrance: Tina Turner
    John Kessler
    One of the best-selling recording artists of her time, Tina Turner, passed away at 83. Turner's career spanned more than five decades.
  • Man stands in front of blue background at podium. A Grammy award sits on top of the podium.
    Julie Jacobson
    /
    AP
    In Remembrance: João Donato
    Carol Handley
    João Donato was part of an influential group of Rio de Janeiro musicians in the '50s that developed the sound of bossa nova. He died at age 88.
  • A man wearing a cream colored sweater standing at a conductors podium.
    Don Sebesky
    In Remembrance: Don Sebesky
    Paige Hansen
    Composer, arranger and jazz musician Don Sebesky, known for his work across multiple genres, passed away this year at age 85.
  • Guitarist Jeff Beck performs in concert at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 18, 2010 in New York.
    Evan Agostini
    /
    AGOEV/AP
    In Remembrance: Jeff Beck
    John Kessler
    Guitarist Jeff Beck died in January at age 78. He was a pioneer of psychedelic rock, jazz, fusion and even trance blues.
  • In Remembrance: Toni Harper
    Justus Sanchez
    Toni Harper made her mark on popular music in the ‘50s and ‘60s. She passed away this year at age 85.
  • Reuben Wilson
    Francis Wolff
    /
    Blue Note Records
    In Remembrance: Reuben Wilson
    Stephanie Anne Johnson
    Soul jazz organist Reuben Wilson, whose influence reached outside the genre, passed away in 2023 at the age of 88.
  • Carla Bley performs in Berlin
    Dietmar Liste/Jazzimage
    /
    CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
    In Remembrance: Carla Bley
    Carol Handley
    An important figure in the free jazz movement, pianist and composer Carla Bley passed away this year at 87.
  • Jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter performs at the 5 Continents Jazz Festival in Marseille, southern France on July 23, 2013. Shorter, whose lyrical jazz compositions and pioneering saxophone playing sounded through more than half a century of American music and made him one of the most influential innovators in jazz, died in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 2, 2023. He was 89.
    Claude Paris
    /
    AP
    In Remembrance: Wayne Shorter
    Carl Pogue
    Wayne Shorter – master innovator, composer, and saxophonist, passed away March 2 at the age of 89. The 12-time Grammy winner leaves a vast legacy as a musician, and as a person.
  • Robbie Robertson performs at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 at Madison Square Garden in New York on April 13, 2013
    Charles Sykes
    /
    Invision/AP
    In Remembrance: Robbie Robertson
    John Kessler
    Guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson passed away in August at age 80. His career helped define Americana music.
  • Jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal performs at the Louisiana Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, Saturday, April 30, 2011.
    Claude Paris
    /
    AP
    In Remembrance: Ahmad Jamal
    Abe Beeson
    Pianist Ahmad Jamal, who’s use of space and subtle rhythms redefined jazz, passed away in 2023 at age 92. He helped make “Poinciana” a jazz standard and was a big influence on Miles Davis.