It always seemed unfair that Paul Bley wasn’t a household name in the jazz world—few musicians have had such fascinating, sustained, and creatively restless careers. The pianist, who died Sunday at age 83 at his home in Stuart, Florida, was involved in his modest way with some of the most important developments in jazz and worked with many of the greatest players it ever produced. His 1953 debut album, Introducing Paul Bley, featured sidemen no less illustrious than drummer Art Blakey and bassist Charles Mingus—the latter released the album on his own Debut Records imprint.
