Jazz artist who was revered among his peers, but struggled to find work because of his blindness and brittle bone disease.

Before Fame

He became a fixture on the Chicago club scene midway through the 1940s, playing with Von Freeman and Charlie Parker.

Trivia

He lasted six weeks as Dinah Washington's accompanist before she fired him, as was her habit with accompanists. He ended up settling in New York anyway.

Family Life

He taught himself how to play the family piano.

Associated With

He was a powerful influence on Herbie Hancock who begged to study with him and later declared him to be a master of harmony and sensitivity.

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