The year passes, as do a pair of jazz legends

In the past two weeks, jazz — and music in general — lost a pair of elder statesmen that will be truly missed. Legendary producer Joel Dorn (b. 1942), who spent years at Atlantic Records and is perhaps best known for his collaborations with reed man Rahsaan Roland Kirk, passed away on Dec. 17. And jazz pianist Oscar Peterson (b. 1925), one of the last living masters from jazz’s golden ages, passed on Sunday. Next to Monk, I don’t know if there are any pianists I love more than Peterson. You can read recent items on Dorn here and here, and on Peterson here and here. Also passing earlier in the year was Max Roach (b. 1924), quite possibly the greatest jazz drummer who ever lived. Read about Roach here and here.

[Update: You can find another good write-up on Joel Dorn here.]