Charlie Haden has passed away.

[Susan Alcorn (deceased)]

Today I read that Charlie Haden, a musical giant who has deeply affected me as a pedal steel guitarist, a musician, and as a composer, has died. I'm kind of in shock right now. I think of his work in the 1950s with Ornette Coleman's quartet, the Liberation Music Orchestra, the Quartet West band, his country albums, and his teaching. His bass playing was unfailingly lyrical, big and earthy.

Today we lost a profound musical voice in the world of creative music.

[Mike Neer]

One of the greatest musicians ever. Charlie was the house bassist with WABC's Ozark Jubilee way back when and went on to become one of the greatest jazz bassists in history. Such an interesting man. I don't think a day has gone by in the last 25 years that I haven't heard his playing.

George Piburn was Charlie's soundman for a while.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2 ... ce-in-bass

[Andy Volk]

A towering figure in music. RIP, Charlie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4k_InRXP-g#t=30

[Mark Eaton]

Oh this is so sad. I knew he was ill and it was not looking good.

Charlie Haden is one of my all-time favorite musicians.

I saw him here at the Healdsburg Jazz festival a few years ago.

One of the giants, and just a gentleman - a class act.

R.I.P. Mr. Haden

[Mark Eaton]

[Susan Alcorn (deceased)]

For those on the forum who may be unfamiliar with Charlie Haden, this is the recording of "Lonely Woman" where, I think, many (including me) first heard his bass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNbD1JIH344


And this, with Quartet West, his arrangement of "Wayfarin' Stranger":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErhpYoXA4Dk


Charlie Haden's Big Band, the Liberation Music Orchestra:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-JdKhfPu98

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CAmIZfE_Us

live performance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqT7LhlVr8A

[Pete Finney]

He was great in so many different contexts, and always so musical and expressive.

Got to see him many times over the years in many settings, my favorite was probably the trio with Bill Frisell and Paul Motian.

I'm sure he's the only person that could say they'd recorded with both Ornette Coleman and Vince Gill!

[Ariel Lobos]

Just a giant, i discovered him in Pat Metheny´s 80/81 when i was a teenager.

[Mike Neer]

Just a giant, i discovered him in Pat Metheny´s 80/81 when i was a teenager.

That is truly one of the most magical recordings I've ever heard.

[Ariel Lobos]

Agree Mike !I need the "like" button here

[George Piburn]

Charlie had health issues for several decades and it is amazing he made it so long. I saw an interview with Tavis Smiley recently where Charlie said he had been on a feeding tube for over 2 years , but he still played one of his astounding solos live.

I actually Carried my Lap Steel Guitar on every tour and Gig playing it in my hotel room after every show with all of those licks still ringing in my mind, my verbal deal with him was to be able to get his charts to learn his songs on Lap Steel Guitar, which I have done.

I was his Audio Engineer and Chief Bottle Washer for many Years and went on tours world wide over 500 shows at every major jazz festival. This included Quartet West , Liberation Orchestra, Live Symphony, Radio, BET Television Dates and so on.

He was one of the Last Living Legends of the Straight forward Jazz scene of the 50's and forward. He played with Every one and More as far back as Coleman Hawkins and in the 90's forward all of the modern players.

When a person spends as much time on the Road with these guys in tight quarters, Planes Trains and Automobiles, you tend to get to know them pretty well. The Experience Enhanced and Changed my Life for the Better in many ways.

I wish his family all the Best. - A Quick side note , one of his Triplet Daughters married the Actor Jack Black and they Cut a Family CD a few years back every one sang including Charlie doing Shenandoah.

[Jerome Hawkes]

was just listening to Beyond the Missouri Sky (w/Pat Metheny) the other day. amazing talent.