Horace Silver

Horace Ward Martin Tavares Silver

American jazz pianist, composer and bandleader
Born September 2, 1928, in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA, died June 18, 2014 (age 85), in New Rochelle, New York, USA

Pioneer of the hard bop style of jazz in the 1950s. Received big break backing Stan Getz in 1950 during a club date in Hartford, Connecticut. Soon relocated to New York, and made recording debut for Blue Note in 1952. In 1953, with Art Blakey established a cooperative small group under their joint leadership. Under exclusive contract with Blue Note from the late 1950s until the late 1970s, though some live dates on other labels eventually surfaced, he founded his own label, Silveto Records, in 1980. Recorded for Columbia and Impulse! in the 1990s, suffered health problems though the decade, made final studio recording for Verve Records in 1998, briefly returning to performing in 2004. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2007. Son of John Tavares Silver (Silva), of Portuguese descent, born in the Cape Verde Islands, and Gertrude Silver, of New Canaan, Connecticut.

In Groups:
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Art Blakey Quartet, Art Blakey Quintet, Art Farmer Gigi Gryce Quintet, Art Farmer Quintet, Clark Terry Septet, Coleman Hawkins Quintet, Hank Mobley And His All Stars, Hank Mobley Quartet, Hank Mobley Sextet, Horace Silver Quartet, Johnny Richards And His Orchestra, Kenny Clarke Septet, Kenny Dorham Nonet, Kenny Dorham Octet, Lester Young All-Stars Quintet, Lester Young And His Band, Lou Donaldson Quartet, Lou Donaldson Quintet, Miles Davis All Stars, Milt Jackson Sextet, Nat Adderley Quintet, Paul Chambers Sextet, Quincy Jones' All Star Big Band, Stan Getz Quartet, Stan Getz Quintet, Terry Gibbs And His Orchestra (2), The Art Farmer Septet, The Hank Mobley Quintet, The Horace Silver Quintet, The Horace Silver Sextet, The Horace Silver Trio, The J.J. Johnson Quintet, The Miles Davis Quartet, The Miles Davis Quintet, The Miles Davis Sextet, The Milt Jackson Quartet, The Modern Jazz Giants