American jazz drummer. Born: 9 January 1914 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Died: 26 January 1985 in Paris, France . He was an early innovator of the bebop style of drumming and a founder member of the jazz group, The Modern Jazz Quartet.
Jazz drummer and bandleader.
Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1986.
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 160-162. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1998.
Co-founded the Modern Jazz Quartet in 1952 with pianist John Lewis (whom he had met during military service, 1943-46). Extensive free-lance work from 1955.
Studied piano, trombone, drums, vibraphone and music theory while in high school. First with Teddy Hills band (1940-41), later joined Benny Carter (1941-42). Led own band in New York prior to military service.
