Passing of NEA Jazz Master Cedar Walton

NEA Jazz Master Cedar Walton passed away this morning.

He had early associations in the 50’s with Coltrane and Bird , but he first came to international prominence as the piano player and arranger for Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in the early 60’s. After the Messengers, Walton was house pianist for Prestige Records and is the sideman on many hard bop recordings.

He had many CDs recorded as a soloist and band leader as well.