Youthful Jazz Trumpeter Dies at 49
Roy Hargrove, one of the leading jazz musicians of his generation, died on November 2, 2018, in New York City at the age of 49. The cause of his death was a cardiac arrest after being admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital for complication with his kidneys.
Hargrove was considered one of the giants in jazz trumpet and was known for the ability to quickly change styles reminiscent of Clifford Brown, according to writer Tom Piazza. Born in Waco, Texas, Hargrove was first discovered by Wynton Marsalis who allowed Hargrove to join him on a gig in Fort Worth. It was then that Hargrove was able to tour Europe, and eventually became a student at the Berklee College of Music on scholarship. Eighteen months later, Hargrove moved to New York City where he began to really develop his skills and reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the jazz community.
As a two-time Grammy winner, Hargrove was able to be a part of a triple blow talent on the album Directions in Music, a live recording with Herbie Hancock on piano, Michael Brecker on tenor saxophone, and Hargrove on trumpet and flugelhorn. Subtitled, “Celebrating Miles Davis & John Coltrane,” this album went on to win the 2003 Grammy award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album and is considered an essential album for any jazz music student.
To read more about Roy Hargrove’s legacy, read this article.
