Stanley Cowell is an American jazz pianist. Until his passing in the winter of 2020, he left various inspiring music for 60 years. And they became the motivation for me to write.
He was not a popular musician, and his musics are not well known even among so-called jazz enthusiasts. Like many great jazz artists, he belonged to an ‘a lesser-known group’. Of course, it is common in the jazz scene for great music to be unnoticed or even ignored.
So some may think paying attention to his music is not worthwhile. However, following in the footsteps he left as a jazz artist, pianist, composer, arranger, label owner, educator, and as a person, I met a true masterful artist and his universe of music.
Ever since I first discovered Stanley Cowell’s presence in Stevie Wonder’s live performance in 2010(Yes! it’s too late. But I’m glad I found him), he became one of the artists of my life alongside Stevie Wonder, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and James Booker. When he held his last live at Keystone Korner Baltimore in 2019 (I didn’t know it would be the last time), I missed it. And it still remains as a great regret for me that I couldn’t go.
Anything about his music will be posted in the [For Musa] category. Whether it’s music, information, questions, or just curiosity. I wanna make at least a small space that illuminates his music world properly.
Originally Posted April 11. 2023 in Korean