The Recording Academy Issues Statement on Passing of Bassist and Composer Charlie Haden

Yesterday, Charlie Haden passed away at 76. He was one of the most respected bassists and jazz composers today. His legendary, groundbreaking work with Ornette Coleman in the 60's is just one highlight of this three-time Grammy winner's illustrious career. He performed with some of the most revered and varied artists in music including Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny, Dizzy Gillespie, Hank Jones, Ricky Lee Jones, Yoko Ono and Ringo Starr to name a few. His discography consists of hundreds of recordings in a variety of roles including band leader, co-leader, collaborator and sideman among other duties. Haden's last album, Rambling Boy, revisited his roots in Americana and bluegrass, and featured members of his family including son Josh Haden, his triplet daughters, Petra, Tanya and Rachel Haden, and wife Ruth Cameron.

The Recording Academy has issued the following statement on the passing of Charlie Haden:

July 11, 2014

Three-time GRAMMY winner and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Charlie Haden was an icon of avant-garde jazz. A bassist and composer, he played with jazz greats Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, John DeJohnette, Keith Jarrett, Art Pepper, Dewey Redman, and countless others, ultimately becoming known as one of the founding fathers of free jazz. In a career that spanned more than five decades, he was never one to settle into a particular style of jazz and was influenced by all kinds of sounds, pushing the boundaries of music and blazing trails that many musicians still follow today. He also was committed to arts education, introducing and teaching jazz studies at California Institute of the Arts, one of the premier programs of its kind. The music world has lost one of its most prolific, creative and fearless players, though his body of work leaves a remarkable legacy that will forever remain engrained in our culture. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, his friends, the many musicians who had the distinct privilege of working with him, and all who have been inspired by his improvisations.

Neil Portnow
President/CEO

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