Bob Belden – Gone Too Soon

Bob BeldenHe worked with Donald Byrd and the Mel Lewis Orchestra and as an artist, was influenced by the great Gil Evans. The saxophonist and arranger was artistic director for Blue Note Records and has rearranged the music of Prince, Carole King, the Beatles, and others for a Jazz orchestra.

I had the privilege and honor to interview him in the late 90s – a highly educated, eloquent and introspective person who lived for the music. He worked on rereleases for Charles Mingus and Miles Davis and received several Grammy awards, one in 2009 for “Miles In India” in the Best Contemporary Jazz Album category.

Gone much too soon at only 58 years old, Bob Belden suffered a heart attack yesterday. Just this past February, he went to Iran as the first American musician performing there since 1979. He was a man on a mission with a lot to say.

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