Artists We Lost in 2018

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From jazz trumpeters and blues guitarists to genre-defining soul singers and avant-garde soothsayers, DownBeat presents a look back at some of the talented performers who passed away during 2018. DB

Eddie C. Campbell (1939–2018)

Ndugu Chancler (1952-2018)

Eddy Clearwater (1935-2018)

Bob Dorough (1923–2018)

Aretha Franklin (1942-2018)

Roy Hargrove (1969–2018)

Hugh Masekela (1939-2018)

Randy Weston (1926-2018)

Nancy Wilson (1937–2018)

Otis Rush (1935-2018)

Tomasz Stańko (1942-2018)

Cecil Taylor (1929-2018)



  • 23_Carla_Bley_by_Mark_Sheldon.jpg

    ​Bley told DownBeat in 1984: “I’m just a composer, and I use jazz musicians because they’re smarter, and they can save your ass in a bad situation. … I need all the help I can get.”

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    “Blue Note music has been such an integral part of my musical and life experience for so long,” says Redman. “It’s surreal to be a part of this lineage.”

  • TOny_Bennett_Mohegan_Sun_2013_DSC2627_copy_3.jpg

    Bennett had a wealth of material to draw upon, and he had a direct association with much of it.

  • 2024_grammys_winners_nominations_nominees_full_list_66-grammy-awards-Nominees-Full-List_1644x925_no_text.jpg

    The 66th GRAMMY Awards will air live (8–11:30 p.m. ET) on Feb. 4 on CBS Television and stream on Paramount+.