Andrew Hill

Andrew Hill (June 30, 1931 – April 20, 2007) was an American jazz pianist and composer. Hill is recognized as one of the most important progenitors of Free jazz piano, though he is considered more mainstream jazz than Cecil Taylor, two years his senior. The body of work he is most lauded for was recorded for Blue Note Records, spanning nearly a decade and a dozen albums. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Hill took up the piano at the age of thirteen, an... more

Andrew Hill (June 30, 1931 – April 20, 2007) was an American jazz pianist and composer. Hill is recognized as one of the most important progenitors of Free jazz piano, though he is considered more mainstream jazz than Cecil Taylor, two years his senior. The body of work he is most lauded for was recorded for Blue Note Records, spanning nearly a decade and a dozen albums. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Hill took up the piano at the age of thirteen, and was encouraged by Earl Hines. He was referred by jazz composer Bill Russo to Paul Hindemith, with whom he studied informally until 1952. While a teenager he performed in rhythm and blues bands and with touring jazz musicians, including Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. Hill first recorded as a sideman in 1954, but his reputation was made by his Blue Note recordings as leader from 1963 to 1970, which featured several other important post-bop musicians including Joe Chambers, Richard Davis, Eric Dolphy, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson, Freddie... less