Jazz Pioneer Horace Silver has passed

Jazz musician Horace Silver passed away at the age of 85 at his home in New Rochelle, NY. Born in 1928, Silver rose to prominence with Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, who were one of the earliest participants in hard bop, a genre that fused elements of blues and gospel with jazz.

After leaving the group to go solo in 1956, Silver released more than 20 records for the iconic label Blue Note, including the classic albums Blowin' the Blues Away, Song For My Father, and The Jody Grind. His song 'Song for my Father' was sampled for Steely Dan's biggest hit 'Rikki Don't Lose that Number'.

This year four of Silver's albums made it onto Blue Note's "100 essential jazz albums" list. Previously in 2005 he received the President's Merit Award from the Recording Academy.

Listen to Silver's 'Song for my Father' below.