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)



  • Gordon_Goodwin_2020.jpg

    Goodwin was one of the most acclaimed, successful and influential jazz musicians of his generation.

  • Bela_Fleck_on_CNN_with_Fredricka_Whitfield_2026.jpg

    Belá Fleck during an interview with Fredrika Whitfield on CNN.

  • 2707_Pressphoto2_copy_2.jpg

    The success of Oregon’s first album, 1971’s Music Of Another Present Era, allowed Towner to establish a solo career.

  • Flea_-_Photo_2_by_Clara_Balzary_copy.jpg

    Flea has returned to his first instrument — the trumpet — and assembled a dream band of jazz musicians to record a new album.

  • DAddario_RSWAB-LG_oninstrument1hi-res_copy.jpg

    Rico’s Anti-Microbial Instrument Swab


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