R.I.P. Jazz-Funk Hero Don Blackman

BY Alex HudsonPublished Apr 11, 2013

Don Blackman may have been best known in the worlds of funk and jazz, but the pianist, songwriter and producer left a notable mark on the music industry. Sadly, though, he passed away early this morning (April 11) after losing his battle with cancer. Blackman was 59 years old.

The news comes via Blackman's daughter Irene, who tweeted that the musician had died early this morning 12:15 a.m. This followed a message from yesterday evening in which she noted that he had been hospitalized with stage four cancer.

Blackman was from Queens, NY. He became a successful session musician and contributed to acts like Parliament/Funkadelic, Roy Ayers, Sting, Janet Jacket, Kurtis Blow, Twennynine, and Earth, Wind and Fire.

He released a self-titled solo album in 1982, which has been sampled by the likes of Master P, Madlib, J Dilla (with Slum Village) and DJ Jazzy Jeff. He also received a co-writing credit on Tupac's "Live to Kick It," and put out the record Listen as Don Blackman & the Family Tradition in 2002.

Blackman also contributed various compositions to television.

Thanks to FACT for the tip.

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