John Abercrombie (guitarist)

American jazz guitarist (1944–2017)

John Laird Abercrombie (December 16, 1944 – August 22, 2017) was an American jazz guitarist, composer and bandleader.[1][2]

John Abercrombie
Abercrombie at Bratislava Jazz Days, 2007
Abercrombie at Bratislava Jazz Days, 2007
Background information
Birth nameJohn Laird Abercrombie
Born(1944-12-16)December 16, 1944
Port Chester, New York, U.S.
DiedAugust 22, 2017(2017-08-22) (aged 72)
Cortland, New York, U.S.
GenresFusion, post-bop, avant-garde
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1969–2017
LabelsECM
Websitewww.johnabercrombie.com

His work explored jazz fusion, post bop, free jazz and avant-garde jazz. Abercrombie studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He recorded his debut album, Timeless with Manfred Eicher's ECM label, and recorded principally with this label since then. Abercrombie played with Billy Cobham, Ralph Towner, Jack DeJohnette, Charles Lloyd, Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker. He was known for his spare, understated and eclectic style and his work with organ trios.[3]

Abercrombie died of heart failure in Cortland, New York on 22 August 2017 at the age of 72.[4]

References

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  1. Robinson, J. Bradford; Kernfeld, Barry (2002). "Abercrombie, John (Laird)". In Barry Kernfeld (ed.). The new Grove dictionary of jazz (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. pp. 4–5. ISBN 1561592846.
  2. Cook, Richard (2005). Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia. London: Penguin Books. pp. 1. ISBN 0-141-00646-3.
  3. "CONSORT Libraries /All Locations". Oxfordmusiconline.com.dewey2.library.denison.edu. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
  4. "RIP, John Abercrombie," Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen 23 August 2017