One of the most original pianists and composers in jazz has died of cancer at his home in New Jersey, aged 75.
Andrew Hill recorded for a number of labels over his long career but may best remembered for a string of albums he produced for Blue Note, the best known of which, Point of Departure, is described by the Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD as “one of the very great jazz albums of the 1960s”.
While he was less prominent on the scene in the years that followed, Andrew’s career took off again in the past decade of his life and he produced some remarkable work that was universally well received.
SIMA brought Andrew Hill to Australia in October 1996, where his generosity of spirit as well as his artistry impressed all he met. SIMA’s artistic director Peter Rechniewski remembers him fondly as a “lovely, witty gentle person”.
Andrew Hill’s Australian tour:
Sydney – Strawberry Hills Hotel – with Sandy Evans, Lloyd Swanton, John Pochee
Sydney – Eastside Parish Uniting Church, Paddington – solo
Melbourne – Bennetts Lane – with Ian Chaplin, Scott Lambie, Philip Rex
Perth – Hyde Park – with Murray Wilkins, Frank Gibson Jnr
Brisbane – Integrales Festival – solo
Armidale – The Colours of Jazz Festival – with Sandy Evans, Lloyd Swanton, John Pochee
Read Ben Ratliff’s article on Andrew Hill in the New York Times.
Howard Mandel’s announcement of Hill’s death.