George Russell, the composer, theorist and pianist whose Lydian Chromatic concept helped give birth to the modal-jazz movement of the late 1950s, passed away this Monday evening at the age of 86.
The composer had been ill for some time with Alzheimer's. Jazz.com's bio of Russell (see below) provides good insight into why he had such a profound effect on modern jazz; not much noted beyond the world of artists and aficionados, he was an unsung hero of the music. To call him "the father of Kind of Blue" may sound like an exaggeration, but it's not too far from the truth.
George Russell On Night Lights
To hear some of Russell's mid-1950s music, check out the Night Lights show The Jazz Workshops. Several years ago, I also devoted a Night Lights program to the progressive-bop group that Russell led with David Baker at the beginning of the 1960s: When Russell Met Baker.