Orrin Keepnews R.I.P.

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Orrin Keepnews With The Bill Evans Trio At The Village Vanguard In 1961. Photo Credit Unknown.

The very unfortunate news this morning on the passing of jazz producer, critic and label executive Orrin Keepnews. This dude was everywhere during the golden age of jazz, starting Riverside Records (and Milestone Records after that), producing a multitude of classic sessions and writing some fantastic liner notes along the way. He was responsible for some of my favorite albums, heck, he was the man behind some flat-out legendary recordings including Monk's Brilliants Corners (an early vintage pressing of this record is one of the most prized pieces in my collection), Bill Evan's Waltz For Debby and Sunday At The Village Vanguard, Joe Henderson's Power To The People, Nat Adderley's Work Song and The Cannonball Adderley Quintet In San Francisco.

A few of his classic recordings below, and a great remembrance of the man appeared in the New York Times this morning and can be found here.