Jazz keyboardist Joe Zawinul, the celebrated session musician that played with Miles Davis, amongst others, has died aged 75 in Vienna. The ageing star had been suffering from a rare type of skin cancer and had been undergoing treatment before losing his battle with the disease early yesterday.
Zawinul was much admired amongst critics and fans having appeared on such classic Miles Davis' releases as 'Bitches Brew', while founding his own successful troupe, Weather Report, who released a steady string of acclaimed albums.
Furthermore, he is credited with having popularised the use of the electric keyboard in jazz, something that was regarded as a heinous crime by many 'purists'. Austrian President Heinz Fischer paid tribute, saying: "As a person and through his music, Joe Zawinul will remain unforgettable for us all".