Lance Hayward
Encyclopedia
Lance Hayward, a jazz
pianist, was born in Bermuda
in 1916, where he lived until he moved to New York City
at the age of 50. Blind since infancy, he received formal training in classical piano and was a self-taught jazz musician, eventually becoming one of Bermuda's best-known jazz artists. He was often the accompanist of choice for Carmen McRae
, Marvin Gaye
and others when they performed on the island.
In New York
he appeared at many jazz clubs, including West Boondock, Jacques-in-the-Village and the Village Corner, where he appeared regularly for 16 years. He formed his own chorus
, the Lance Hayward Singers, which perform a wide variety of music, from Bach
to Duke Ellington
. The Lance Hayward Singers continue to sing Hayward's arrangements under the direction of Claudia Marx.
Lance Hayward died of pneumonia, in 1991 at age 75 and lived in Manhattan.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist, was born in Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
in 1916, where he lived until he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
at the age of 50. Blind since infancy, he received formal training in classical piano and was a self-taught jazz musician, eventually becoming one of Bermuda's best-known jazz artists. He was often the accompanist of choice for Carmen McRae
Carmen McRae
Carmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable...
, Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
and others when they performed on the island.
In New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
he appeared at many jazz clubs, including West Boondock, Jacques-in-the-Village and the Village Corner, where he appeared regularly for 16 years. He formed his own chorus
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, the Lance Hayward Singers, which perform a wide variety of music, from Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
to Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
. The Lance Hayward Singers continue to sing Hayward's arrangements under the direction of Claudia Marx.
Lance Hayward died of pneumonia, in 1991 at age 75 and lived in Manhattan.
Discography
- A Closer Walk (1984)
- Hayward and Hinton (1987)
- Killing Me Softly (1992)