Jazz guitarist Russell Malone died at the age of 60.
Malone entered the jazz world in the late 1980s and recorded 10 albums then became part of the Diana Krall trio where he participated in three Grammy-nominated albums.
Russell Malone Cause of Death
Malone's cause of death was reportedly due to a heart attack, which bassist Ron Carter announced on his social media page.
The New York Times reported that Malone, Carter and Donald Vega on piano were touring in Japan and finished a show at the Blue Note Tokyo when the tragedy happened.
Carter announced their decision to proceed with the tour as a duo consisting of himself and Vega.
Tributes and Legacy: Impact on the Jazz Community
According to the founding director of Jazz Studies at Emory University, Gray Motley, who spoke to The Atlanta Voice, "Russell was probably the most significant jazz guitarist we had in the last 40 years."
Motley and Malone maintained a strong friendship that blossomed during their time touring together. Motley, a jazz pianist, reflected on the serendipitous meeting that led to their partnership, recalling, "I was very fortunate to meet him in Atlanta and tour with Russell across the United States and Europe."
A Remarkable Career in Jazz
Malone's jazz guitar performances are widely regarded as top-notch. One standout performance of his talent was his appearance at the New York Guitar Festival in January 2004, a performance frequently highlighted as a prime demonstration of his skill.
Throughout his extensive career spanning decades, Malone, who honed his craft through self-teaching, shared the stage and traveled alongside numerous jazz legends.
The jazz icon was celebrated for his ability to accompany different singers and musicians across different genres. Despite this, he also carved out a distinct musical identity as a band leader and a solo performer.
