Jazz/blues songwriter Mose Allison dies

Mose Allison performing in Los Gatos, California. Pic: Mattb4310/Wikimedia Commons

Legendary American musician, whose songs were covered by The Who, Yardbirds, Van Morrison and Elvis Costello, passes away aged 89

Renowned jazz blues pianist, singer and songwriter Mose Allison has died at the age of 89. The news of his passing was confirmed by a message on the artist’s official website, which reads: “Sadly Mose Allison passed away this morning, November 15, 2016 at home. His family would like to express their gratitude for all the kind words and thoughts they have received. Love and thanks.”

Born in Mississippi in 1927, Mose John Allison, Jr became notable for playing a unique mix of blues and modern jazz, both singing and playing piano. In addition to leading his own trio, he worked with some of the major small-group bandleaders of the late 1950s, including the jazz legends Stan Getz and Gerry Mulligan.

His 1957 debut album, Back Country Suite garnered critical praise without becoming a commercial success, yet it featured several songs that would later end up on other artists’ records. A portion of the LP titled Blues – which later became Young Man’s Blues – was said to have inspired The Who‘s My Generation and was ultimately covered by the band on their Live At Leeds album. Allison’s songs have been recorded by numerous other well-known pop and rock acts, among them Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Costello, The Clash and The Yardbirds.

Allison continued to write, record and perform live until his retirement in 2012 and was honoured as one of the 2013 Jazz Masters by the National Endowment for the Arts a year later. He is survived by his son and three daughters, including the singer-songwriter Amy Allison.

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