Junior Mance (1928–2021) (Photo: DownBeat Archives/Atlantic Records)
Junior Mance, who enjoyed a long career as a pianist and educator, has died at age 92. As a leader, Mance recorded albums for Verve, Capitol, Atlantic, Sackville, Enja and numerous other labels. His debut LP,
Junior, was a 1959 trio project with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Lex Humphries. On a 1970 LP for Atlantic,
With A Lotta Help From My Friends, Mance led a quartet with guitarist Eric Gale, electric bassist Chuck Rainey and drummer Billy Cobham. Among the other artists with whom he recorded during a lengthy career are Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin, José James, Ken Peplowski, Sonny Stitt, Dinah Washington, Joe Williams and Lester Young.