LARRY WILLIS

New York jazz pianist (1940–2019)

Larry Willis devoted most of his career to free jazz and hard bop, beginning with Jackie Mclean in the mid-’60s. But he also crossed over into more commercial climes, joining Blood, Sweat & Tears as keyboard player in 1972, a tenure that lasted six years. His many and varied collaborators included Nat Adderley, Hugh Masekela and Carla Bley.