Cecil Taylor, free jazz pioneer, dies age 89

Cecil Taylor, the visionary pianist who revolutionised jazz by launching the free-jazz movement in the late 1950s, died Thursday at his home in Brooklyn. He was 89.

Taylor’s legal guardian, Adam C. Wilner, confirmed the death by phone Friday. No more details were provided.

Taylor, born in New York on March 25, 1929, was known as one of the pioneers of the free jazz movement, and was seen as both a grounding breaking and uncompromising artist.

Taylor released his first album, Jazz Advance ,in 1956. He was also known as a poet and would recite his poems at live shows.

“Cecil had a magical touch on the keys and was a genius at the arts. He lives on through his uncanny ability to express his music and poetry in various forms of beauty, pain, injustice and peace,” Wilner said in a statement. “He will always be remembered in the history of Jazz for his free-form improvisational notes. He will be missed by his family, friends and fellow musicians.”