September 2 is the birthday of jazz pianist Horace Silver, who turns 83. Silver is a hard bop pianist with a humorous, funky style. Silver was also influential in the make-up of his quintet (trumpet, tenor sax, piano, double bass, and drums), which served as a model for many small jazz groups in the 1950s and 1960s. His groups also provided the training ground for players such as Donald Byrd, Art Farmer, Woody Shaw, and Joe Henderson, among others.
One of Silver's best known pieces is "Song for My Father," from 1964.
In his 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends Silver's album, Doin' the Thing: At the Village Gate (Blue Note BLP-4076/BST-84076). This album is available on CD. (Purchase at Barnes & Noble.)
