Jazz saxophonist, composer and producer Teo Macero has died at the age of 82 following a long illness.
Born and raised in New York state, he served in the US Navy before moving to New York City in 1948 to attend the Julliard School of Music. Following graduation, he co-founded Charles Mingus' Jazz Composers Workshop and became active in NY's avant garde jazz scene. It was as a producer, however, that he became most renowned, working for Columbia with hosts of artists, including the likes of Duke Ellington, Johnny Mathis, Simon & Garfunkel, Count Basie and Thelonius Monk. Most famous, though, are his many collaborations with Miles Davis. His technique, developed through his associations with avant garde composer Edgard Varese, is said to have impacted significantly on later generations of producers.
Macero also continued to compose music, for artists, TV and film, and also composed, performed and conducted with the likes of the New York Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic and the Kansas City Symphony. He also wrote ballets for companies such as the American Ballet Theatre.