Remembering Jazz Legend Charlie Haden, Who Crafted His Voice In Bass
Source: NPR
"Jazz legend Charlie Haden has died. Polio damaged Haden's voice when he was young, but as a bassist and composer, Haden helped shape the sound of jazz and still spanned country and gospel. For more on Haden's life and music, you can hear Melissa Block speak with Slate columnist and jazz critic Fred Kaplan at the audio link on this page.
Bassist and composer Charlie Haden, whose resonant playing and penetrating melodic craft influenced generations of jazz musicians, died this morning in Los Angeles, after a prolonged illness. He was 76.
Born and raised in the rural Midwestern United States, Haden grew up singing on his family's country and western radio program from the age of two. As a teenager, he took up the bass, and in 1957, he moved to Los Angeles. There, he integrated quickly into the jazz community, including joining the band of the Ornette Coleman. His recordings and performances with Coleman's bands over decades not only anchored the saxophonist's innovative approaches to harmony and melody, but put his own instrument in the spotlight."
Read more: http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2014/07/11/330772721/remembering-jazz-legend-charlie-haden-who-crafted-his-voice-in-bass
Shared as LBN because Mr. Haden was a wonderful bassist, but also person, and worked for liberal/progressive causes throughout his life.
I was fortunate to see him a few years ago with the Liberation Music Orchestra and Carla Bley - it was a remarkable show...I actually emailed back and forth just a bit with him afterwards, because he made some clear political statements - for our side - during the show.
Here is a vid of Charlie Haden with Pat Metheny.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Awful news. The man was a giant.
Love to his family. RIP, Mr. Haden.
Just listening to his "Art of The Song" last night. He gave us much good music. RIP. 
Your madders taint bad loo-kin' either.
I miss the City. Now even more so. 
I moved to LA for a few years back in the OO's. When I tell you every morning I woke up and said "I have to go back home to NY" I am not exaggerating. I'm a wee bit north, in Westchester, but we do take full advantage of all the City has to offer. We are both big jazz and classical fans (I am particularly fond with Early Music) so there is always something wonderful going on. Couple that with our first class museums...its an amazing place.
Are you from NY originally? Where are you now? If you visit, PM me and we'll go to Birdland!!
Currently Virginia. Surrounded by fellow ex northerners just south of Richmond. We give each other grocery lists when someone is visiting up north. I still have family and friends in Jersey.They think the world ends south of Cape May and reappears in Florida.
It may be a while before I make it back north. I will take you up on your kind offer if and when the time and tide agree.
