Jazz Musician Thigpen Dies

Thigpen, who was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame, passed away on 13 January (10) at Hvidovre Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark. He suffered from Parkinson's disease and was hospitalised with heart and lung problems before Christmas (09).

Thigpen performed with the Billy Taylor Trio from 1956 to 1959 - the same year he replaced guitarist Herb Ellis in the Oscar Peterson Trio.

He toured with jazz legend Fitzgerald from 1967 to 1972, and later settled in Copenhagen. There, he worked with a number of artists, including Alice Babs, Kenny Drew, Clark Terry, Milt Jackson, Monty Alexander and Thad Jones.

Thigpen's longrunning career was immortalised in 2009 documentary film Ed Thigpen: Master of Time, Rhythm and Taste.

He is survived by a son and daughter.