Influential American jazz drummer Paul Motian died November 22 at the
age of 80. Best remembered as the drummer for the classic Bill Evans
Trio of the early 1960s, Motian was also a member of pianist Keith
Jarrett’s quartet in the 1970s, and in the 1980s began leading his own
successful trio, featuring tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano and guitarist
Bill Frisell.
At the time of his death, Motian remained a significant figure in the jazz world. His 2010 album Lost in a Dream was among the best jazz releases that year. This past year saw the release of Motian’s The Windmills of Your Mind and the drummer appeared as a sideman on several other recordings.
