RIP Richie Beirach

[colinmce]

An extraordinary pianist and musical thinker, “The Code” — an essential link in the continuity of jazz music throughout the 1970s, and of course beyond, a deep creator across many decades.

If you haven’t heard the 2021 5xCD box set entitled Empathy you should seek it out. In addition to a (I believe) final duo with Dave Liebman, it includes a bevy of other music, including a solo piano disc, imparting his great range. 

[JSngry]

That's too bad. RIP 

[Balladeer]

 His music has always been something special. I first discovered him when he wrote the hauntingly beautiful instrumental "Broken Wing" for Chet Baker. Later his trio albums for  the ACT Munich Label with violinist Gregor Hübner and George Mraz - "Round about Bartok", "Round about Monteverdi" , "Round about Mompou" - were standout chamber crossovers.
Richard Alan Beirach surely was one of a kind - a stylistically highly original pianist, composer, and musician who played among others with Getz, Liebman, the Brecker Brothers. The last part of his life he spent in Germany, first he taught jazz piano at the Hochschule für Musik in Leipzig. Then he lived with two befriended musicians on a farm in a village in rural southwestern Germany.

RIP, Richie Beirach
 

Edited 3 hours ago by Balladeer

[sambrasa]

I was just recently was him reminiscing the ECM albums he made. Some fascinating stories there:

 

[HutchFan]

So sad to hear this news. R.I.P.  

But what a brilliant artist!  I am so grateful for all of the MAGNIFICENT music he made!

 

 

Some thoughts on Beirach from Ethan Iverson: 
https://open.substack.com/pub/iverson/p/tt-568-rip-richie-beirach?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

 

[clifford_thornton]

Not unexpected but very sad news. RIP.

[optatio]

... sad news - R.I.P.