Obituaries

The record executive was instrumental in shepherding the successful careers of a number of monumental music stars, including Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Janis Joplin, Billy Joel and Whitney Houston.

The fearless free-funk and jazz artist, a student of Ornette Coleman's Harmolodics concept, followed his unorthodox path to a singular five-decade career.

Thomas led the San Francisco Symphony from 1995 to 2020, helping to establish its reputation as a world-class orchestra. In 2021, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain cancer.

The South Bronx bandleader took the Latin genre to new heights while recording for Fania Records.

With his exceptional fluency on clarinet and tenor saxophone, Ken Peplowski was a prominent voice in straight-ahead jazz. He died on Monday aboard the Jazz Cruise.

A pianist and composer who brought harmonic depth and rhythmic daring to the rangy post-1960s jazz mainstream, Richie Beirach died on Jan. 26 in Southwest Germany. He was 78.

As a member of Oregon, solo artist, and collaborator of luminaries like Keith Jarrett and John Abercrombie, Towner left an indelible mark on modern progressive jazz.

Rebecca Kilgore championed 1930s and 1940s vocal jazz and collaborated extensively with songwriter Dave Frishberg, who wrote classics like "I'm Hip," and "Peel Me A Grape."

For three decades with the Grateful Dead and three more after the group ended following the 1995 death of his bandmate Jerry Garcia, Weir helped build and sustain the band's legacy across generations.

Soprano Benita Valente, who died on Oct. 24 at 91, was a singular talent beloved worldwide and adored in Philadelphia. She leaves behind an interwoven legacy of musical excellence and cultural influence.