Horace Silver

Art by Tim Foley

Horace Silver

Piano · born 2 September 1928 – died 18 June 2014

▸ Click for Richard Cook Bio

Horace Ward Martin Tavares Silver began playing locally in Connecticut clubs at the end of the 40s, and he was heard in this capacity by a visiting Stan Getz, who subsequently hired the pianist and used him on some of the saxophonist's early sessions for the Roost label. Silver joined forces with Art Blakey in 1952 in the prototype Jazz Messengers in New York: though initial recordings were under Blakey's name, by the time the personnel settled down in 1954 they were called the Jazz Messengers. Silver stayed two further years and contributed extensively to the band's book, but after he left he went on to form his own quintets, which played in much the same style, although leavened by his own good humour. He had already begun recording for Blue Note while with Blakey, and that association grew warmer and more dependable as time went on: Silver stayed with the 'old' Blue Note longer than any other artist, still recording with the company until well into the 70s, and he became the musician who was Alfred Lion's closest confidant.

Meanwhile, his working group – always two horns and a rhythm section – began to personify what would become the standard hard-bop small-band setting. Throughout a long career, he has almost exclusively used his own originals rather than relying on any standards, and his writing in the 50s soon established the blueprint for his idiom. It was a logical progression from the cooling of bop's original helter-skelter first phase: the rhythm section still played in a taut, bebop style, but the convoluted melodies of bop were traded for much simpler, almost motif-like tunes (one of his early successes, The Preacher, was actually hated by Alfred Lion at first, and it took a bit of subterfuge by Horace – saying that if they abandoned it, it would mean more studio time spent – to get it past his producer). They added a melodious bounce to a sound that was still unimpeachably modern, and hip. Silver employed a procession of outstanding horn players for the next 20 years, including Carmell Jones, Hank Mobley, Kenny Dorham, Art Farmer, Blue Mitchell, Junior Cook, Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Clifford Jordan and Randy Brecker, and his Blue Note albums were a remarkably consistent lot: the sequence he cut at the end of the 50s, in what was a glorious spell for jazz on record, included The Stylings Of Silver, Further Explorations, Finger Poppin' and the quite flawless Blowin' The Blues Away, and is still an enthrallingly fresh listen, even after some five decades of similar music-making by others following the formula.

Silver's own playing helped keep his groups on their toes, pushing and thrusting whether in solo or accompaniment and constantly varying the pace with a stock of ingenious licks. Aside from a break in the early 70s, he kept touring the group and, although some of his latter-day Blue Note sets have some modish and misconceived trappings, he was one of the few old-stagers who left the label with his honour intact, not tempted by fusion. He subsequently founded his own label in the 80s and toured with new groups, although there were spells when he was off the scene due to illness or family matters. He later signed again to both Columbia and Impulse!, now a godfather of his idiom, and perhaps the only sour note of the period was his decision not to appear at the celebratory concerts which relaunched Blue Note in the middle 80s: if one musician's work sums up the ideals and rewards of that label, it is Silver's.

Biography from Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia (2005).

If you'd like more information, check out The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz (2002) or The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz (2007), both of which are still in print.

As leader

  • Horace Silver – and The Jazz MessengersHorace Silver – and The Jazz Messengers
  • Horace Silver – Horace Silver Trio and Art Blakey – SabúHorace Silver – Horace Silver Trio and Art Blakey – Sabú
  • Horace Silver – 6 Pieces of SilverHorace Silver – 6 Pieces of Silver
  • Horace Silver – The Stylings of SilverHorace Silver – The Stylings of Silver
  • Horace Silver – Silver’s BlueHorace Silver – Silver’s Blue
  • Horace Silver Quintet – Further ExplorationsHorace Silver Quintet – Further Explorations
  • Horace Silver Quintet – Finger Poppin’Horace Silver Quintet – Finger Poppin’
  • Horace Silver – Blowin’ the Blues AwayHorace Silver – Blowin’ the Blues Away

Plays on

  • Clark Terry – Clark TerryClark Terry – Clark Terry
  • Milt Jackson – Milt Jackson QuartetMilt Jackson – Milt Jackson Quartet
  • Kenny Clarke – Bohemia After DarkKenny Clarke – Bohemia After Dark
  • Miles Davis – Volume TwoMiles Davis – Volume Two
  • Jay Jay Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume TwoJay Jay Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume Two
  • The Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume OneThe Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume One
  • The Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume TwoThe Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume Two
  • Art Blakey – A Night At Birdland, Volume OneArt Blakey – A Night At Birdland, Volume One
  • Art Blakey – A Night At Birdland, Volume TwoArt Blakey – A Night At Birdland, Volume Two
  • The Jazz Messengers – The Jazz MessengersThe Jazz Messengers – The Jazz Messengers
  • Art Farmer Septet – Plays the Arrangements and Compositions of Gryce and JonesArt Farmer Septet – Plays the Arrangements and Compositions of Gryce and Jones
  • Miles Davis – Blue HazeMiles Davis – Blue Haze
  • Milt Jackson – Plenty Plenty SoulMilt Jackson – Plenty Plenty Soul
  • Paul Chambers Sextet – Whims of ChambersPaul Chambers Sextet – Whims of Chambers
  • Kenny Dorham – Afro-CubanKenny Dorham – Afro-Cuban
  • J.R. Monterose – J.R. MonteroseJ.R. Monterose – J.R. Monterose
  • Lou Donaldson – Quartet Quintet SextetLou Donaldson – Quartet Quintet Sextet
  • Lee Morgan – Indeed!Lee Morgan – Indeed!
  • Hank Mobley – With Donald Byrd and Lee MorganHank Mobley – With Donald Byrd and Lee Morgan
  • Lee Morgan – Lee Morgan SextetLee Morgan – Lee Morgan Sextet
  • Hank Mobley – And His All StarsHank Mobley – And His All Stars
  • Cliff Jordan / John Gilmore – Blowing In From ChicagoCliff Jordan / John Gilmore – Blowing In From Chicago
  • Hank Mobley Quintet – Hank Mobley QuintetHank Mobley Quintet – Hank Mobley Quintet
  • Sonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume TwoSonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume Two
  • Modern Jazz Quartet / Milt Jackson Quintet – MJQModern Jazz Quartet / Milt Jackson Quintet – MJQ
  • Miles Davis All-Stars – Walkin’Miles Davis All-Stars – Walkin’
  • Art Farmer – When Farmer Met GryceArt Farmer – When Farmer Met Gryce
  • Miles Davis – Bags GrooveMiles Davis – Bags Groove

Mentioned in text

  • Miles Davis – The Musings of MilesMiles Davis – The Musings of Miles
  • Cannonball Adderley – Presenting CannonballCannonball Adderley – Presenting Cannonball
  • Jutta Hipp – At The Hickory House, Volume OneJutta Hipp – At The Hickory House, Volume One
  • Kenny Burrell – Introducing Kenny BurrellKenny Burrell – Introducing Kenny Burrell
  • Dizzy Gillespie – World StatesmanDizzy Gillespie – World Statesman
  • Sanford Gold – Piano D’orSanford Gold – Piano D’or
  • Elmo Hope Sextet – Informal JazzElmo Hope Sextet – Informal Jazz
  • Jackie McLean – 4, 5, and 6Jackie McLean – 4, 5, and 6
  • Hank Mobley – Mobley’s MessageHank Mobley – Mobley’s Message
  • Oscar Pettiford Orchestra – In Hi-FiOscar Pettiford Orchestra – In Hi-Fi
  • Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers – Hard DriveArt Blakey’s Jazz Messengers – Hard Drive
  • Jutta Hipp – At The Hickory House, Volume TwoJutta Hipp – At The Hickory House, Volume Two
  • Jimmy Smith – At Club Baby Grand, Volume OneJimmy Smith – At Club Baby Grand, Volume One
  • Jimmy Smith – At Club Baby Grand, Volume TwoJimmy Smith – At Club Baby Grand, Volume Two
  • Jutta Hipp – With Zoot SimsJutta Hipp – With Zoot Sims
  • Sonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume OneSonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume One
  • Lou Donaldson Quintet – Wailing With LouLou Donaldson Quintet – Wailing With Lou
  • Thad Jones – The Magnificent Thad Jones, Volume ThreeThad Jones – The Magnificent Thad Jones, Volume Three
  • Johnny Griffin – A Blowing SessionJohnny Griffin – A Blowing Session
  • Curtis Fuller – The OpenerCurtis Fuller – The Opener
  • Paul Chambers – Bass On TopPaul Chambers – Bass On Top
  • Don Byrd / Gigi Gryce – Jazz LabDon Byrd / Gigi Gryce – Jazz Lab
  • Kai Winding – Trombone PanoramaKai Winding – Trombone Panorama
  • Sonny Rollins – Way Out WestSonny Rollins – Way Out West
  • Curtis Counce – You Get More Bounce With Curtis CounceCurtis Counce – You Get More Bounce With Curtis Counce
  • Randy Weston – The Modern Art of JazzRandy Weston – The Modern Art of Jazz
  • Nat Adderley – To The Ivy League From NatNat Adderley – To The Ivy League From Nat
  • Russ Freeman / Chet Baker – QuartetRuss Freeman / Chet Baker – Quartet
  • The Jazz Messengers – RitualThe Jazz Messengers – Ritual
  • Gil Mellé – Gil’s GuestsGil Mellé – Gil’s Guests
  • Freddie Redd / Hamp Hawes – Piano East / Piano WestFreddie Redd / Hamp Hawes – Piano East / Piano West
  • Prestige All-Stars – All Night LongPrestige All-Stars – All Night Long
  • Sonny Rollins – Saxophone ColossusSonny Rollins – Saxophone Colossus
  • Prestige All-Stars – All Day LongPrestige All-Stars – All Day Long
  • Hank Mobley Quintet – Mobley’s 2nd MessageHank Mobley Quintet – Mobley’s 2nd Message
  • Thad Jones / Frank Wess / Teddy Charles / Mal Waldron / Doug Watkins / Elvin Jones – OlioThad Jones / Frank Wess / Teddy Charles / Mal Waldron / Doug Watkins / Elvin Jones – Olio
  • Mal Waldron Quintet – Mal-1Mal Waldron Quintet – Mal-1
  • Mose Allison – Back Country SuiteMose Allison – Back Country Suite
  • Miles Davis Quintet – Cookin’Miles Davis Quintet – Cookin’
  • Ray Draper Quintet – Tuba SoundsRay Draper Quintet – Tuba Sounds
  • Prestige All-Stars – EarthyPrestige All-Stars – Earthy
  • Curtis Fuller – New TromboneCurtis Fuller – New Trombone
  • Phil Woods / Gene Quill – Phil Woods & Gene Quill with PrestigePhil Woods / Gene Quill – Phil Woods & Gene Quill with Prestige
  • Phil Woods / Gene Quill / Sahib Shihab / Hal Stein – Four AltosPhil Woods / Gene Quill / Sahib Shihab / Hal Stein – Four Altos
  • Bill Evans – New Jazz ConceptionsBill Evans – New Jazz Conceptions
  • Kenny Drew – Kenny Drew TrioKenny Drew – Kenny Drew Trio
  • Coleman Hawkins – The Hawk Flies HighColeman Hawkins – The Hawk Flies High
  • Kenny Drew – This Is NewKenny Drew – This Is New
  • Hank Mobley Quintet – Introducing Lee MorganHank Mobley Quintet – Introducing Lee Morgan
  • Hank Mobley – Jazz Message #2Hank Mobley – Jazz Message #2
  • Various Artists – Trumpets All OutVarious Artists – Trumpets All Out
  • Warne Marsh – Warne MarshWarne Marsh – Warne Marsh
  • Hank Mobley Sextet – HankHank Mobley Sextet – Hank
  • Paul Chambers – Paul Chambers QuintetPaul Chambers – Paul Chambers Quintet
  • Cliff Jordan – Cliff JordanCliff Jordan – Cliff Jordan
  • Sonny Clark – Dial “S” For SonnySonny Clark – Dial “S” For Sonny
  • John Jenkins / Kenny Burrell – John Jenkins with Kenny BurrellJohn Jenkins / Kenny Burrell – John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell
  • Sonny Clark – Sonny’s CribSonny Clark – Sonny’s Crib
  • Sonny Clark – Sonny Clark TrioSonny Clark – Sonny Clark Trio
  • Johnny Griffin – The CongregationJohnny Griffin – The Congregation
  • Cliff Jordan – Cliff CraftCliff Jordan – Cliff Craft
  • Louis Smith – Here Comes Louis SmithLouis Smith – Here Comes Louis Smith
  • Bennie Green – Back on the SceneBennie Green – Back on the Scene
  • Sonny Clark – Cool Struttin’Sonny Clark – Cool Struttin’
  • Lee Morgan – CandyLee Morgan – Candy
  • Lou Donaldson – Lou Takes OffLou Donaldson – Lou Takes Off
  • Louis Smith – SmithvilleLouis Smith – Smithville
  • Kenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume OneKenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume One
  • Bud Powell – Time Waits: The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume FourBud Powell – Time Waits: The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume Four
  • Hampton Hawes Quartet – All Night Session! Vols. 1-3Hampton Hawes Quartet – All Night Session! Vols. 1-3
  • Prestige All-Stars – RootsPrestige All-Stars – Roots
  • Jackie McLean / John Jenkins – Alto MadnessJackie McLean / John Jenkins – Alto Madness
  • Miles Davis Quintet – Relaxin’Miles Davis Quintet – Relaxin’
  • Tommy Flanagan – OverseasTommy Flanagan – Overseas
  • Mose Allison – Young Man MoseMose Allison – Young Man Mose
  • Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis – CookbookEddie “Lockjaw” Davis – Cookbook
  • Shirley Scott – Great Scott!Shirley Scott – Great Scott!
  • Prestige Blues-Swingers – Outskirts of TownPrestige Blues-Swingers – Outskirts of Town
  • Hank Mobley / Lee Morgan – Peckin’ TimeHank Mobley / Lee Morgan – Peckin’ Time
  • Lou Donaldson – Blues WalkLou Donaldson – Blues Walk
  • The 3 Sounds – The 3 SoundsThe 3 Sounds – The 3 Sounds
  • Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Moanin’Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Moanin’
  • Dizzy Reece – Blues in TrinityDizzy Reece – Blues in Trinity
  • Jimmy Smith – The SermonJimmy Smith – The Sermon
  • Lou Donaldson with The Three Sounds – LD+3Lou Donaldson with The Three Sounds – LD+3
  • Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – At the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 1Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – At the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 1
  • Charles Mingus – Mingus Ah UmCharles Mingus – Mingus Ah Um
  • Gene Ammons – Blue GeneGene Ammons – Blue Gene
  • Cannonball Adderley & Milt Jackson – Things Are Getting BetterCannonball Adderley & Milt Jackson – Things Are Getting Better
  • Johnny Griffin – The Little GiantJohnny Griffin – The Little Giant
  • Cannonball Adderley Quintet – In San FranciscoCannonball Adderley Quintet – In San Francisco
  • Curtis Fuller – Sliding EasyCurtis Fuller – Sliding Easy
  • Lester Young – Pres and TeddyLester Young – Pres and Teddy
  • Walter Davis, Jr. – Davis CupWalter Davis, Jr. – Davis Cup
  • Duke Pearson – ProfileDuke Pearson – Profile
  • Jackie McLean – Swing Swang Swingin’Jackie McLean – Swing Swang Swingin’
  • Lou Donaldson – The Time is RightLou Donaldson – The Time is Right
  • Art Blakey – The Big BeatArt Blakey – The Big Beat
  • Hank Mobley – Soul StationHank Mobley – Soul Station
  • Sonny Red – Out of the BlueSonny Red – Out of the Blue
  • Jackie McLean – Capuchin SwingJackie McLean – Capuchin Swing
  • Freddie Hubbard – Open SesameFreddie Hubbard – Open Sesame
  • Wes Montgomery Trio – Wes Montgomery TrioWes Montgomery Trio – Wes Montgomery Trio
  • Wes Montgomery – The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes MontgomeryWes Montgomery – The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery
  • Blue Mitchell – Blue’s MoodsBlue Mitchell – Blue’s Moods
  • Cannonball Adderley Quintet – At the LighthouseCannonball Adderley Quintet – At the Lighthouse
  • Curtis Fuller – Curtis Fuller, Volume ThreeCurtis Fuller – Curtis Fuller, Volume Three
  • Kenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume TwoKenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume Two
  • Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – At the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 2Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – At the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 2
  • Duke Pearson – Tender Feelin’sDuke Pearson – Tender Feelin’s
  • Bill Evans Trio – ExplorationsBill Evans Trio – Explorations
  • Art Blakey – Impulse / Art Blakey / Jazz MessengersArt Blakey – Impulse / Art Blakey / Jazz Messengers
  • Kai Winding – The Incredible Kai Winding TrombonesKai Winding – The Incredible Kai Winding Trombones
  • Ray Charles – Genius + Soul = JazzRay Charles – Genius + Soul = Jazz
  • Jimmy Woods – Awakening!!Jimmy Woods – Awakening!!
  • Jimmy Woods Sextet – ConflictJimmy Woods Sextet – Conflict
  • Art Blakey Jazz Messengers – CaravanArt Blakey Jazz Messengers – Caravan
  • Charles Mingus – Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus MingusCharles Mingus – Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus
  • Cannonball Adderley – 74 Miles AwayCannonball Adderley – 74 Miles Away
  • Joe Henderson – The KickerJoe Henderson – The Kicker
  • Miles Davis – And the Modern Jazz GiantsMiles Davis – And the Modern Jazz Giants
  • Woody Shaw – The MoontraneWoody Shaw – The Moontrane
  • Dexter Gordon – Homecoming: Live at the Village VanguardDexter Gordon – Homecoming: Live at the Village Vanguard