Horace Silver

About

Jazz artist who wrote "Song for My Father" from 1964. He was a pioneer in the genre of hard bop and occasionally worked in soul jazz.

Before Fame

He initially played the tenor saxophone, but later switched to piano. He was first employed at the Birdland jazz club after relocating to New York City in 1951.

Trivia

His trio of records, "The United States of Mind," was intended as cultural commentary on the societal changes of the 1960s and 1970s.

Family Life

His father, John Tavares Silva, immigrated to the United States from the island nation of Cape Verde.

Associated With

His piano playing was heavily influenced by Bud Powell.