Horace Parlan

Jazz Pianist Known for Post-Bop and Hard Bop Styles

Horace Parlan was an American jazz pianist, noted for his contributions to the hard bop and post-bop styles of jazz during the 1950s and 1960s. Born on January 19, 1931, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Parlan overcame a physical disability caused by polio to develop a distinctive piano style characterized by the use of his right hand for melodies and his left hand for chords. He began his career with Charles Mingus's workshop bands in the late 1950s before embarking on a successful period with Blue Note Records as a leader. During his time with Blue Note, he recorded several albums that have since become jazz classics, including "Us Three" and "Headin' South." Parlan moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, in the early 1970s, where he continued to perform and record extensively, both as a leader and as a sideman with other prominent jazz musicians. His work has been celebrated for its soulful depth and rhythmic innovation. Horace Parlan passed away on February 23, 2017, leaving behind a rich legacy within the jazz community.