Terry Callier, singer songwriter and Massive Attack collaborator, has died aged 67.
The Chicago-born soul and jazz musician was found dead in his US home on Sunday 28 October after battling with a long-term illness.
Callier’s career began in the 1960s when he signed to renowned American label Chess Records - he went on to release the critically lauded albums Occasional Rain and I Just Can't Help Myself before touring with the likes of Gil Scott Heron and George Benson.
Callier quit the music business to study computer programming at university in the 80s but enjoyed a musical resurgence during the 1990s following endorsement from the UK's Acid Jazz imprint and collaboration with contemporary British folk star Beth Orton.
He went on to release a number of albums including his final record in 2009 - Hidden Conversation was written and produced with Bristol electronic stars Massive Attack.
Michael Kiwaunuka, Mercury Music Prize nominated solo artist, told the Sun Time that Callier was an influential artist for him.
‘Those nuances, colours, times and chords inspire me so much, I want to make a mish-mash of all that. I knew Terry’s first album very well.’
His death has seen tributes from Beth Orton and Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody.
Photo by Leena Hernesniemi
The Chicago-born soul and jazz musician was found dead in his US home on Sunday 28 October after battling with a long-term illness.
Callier’s career began in the 1960s when he signed to renowned American label Chess Records - he went on to release the critically lauded albums Occasional Rain and I Just Can't Help Myself before touring with the likes of Gil Scott Heron and George Benson.
Callier quit the music business to study computer programming at university in the 80s but enjoyed a musical resurgence during the 1990s following endorsement from the UK's Acid Jazz imprint and collaboration with contemporary British folk star Beth Orton.
He went on to release a number of albums including his final record in 2009 - Hidden Conversation was written and produced with Bristol electronic stars Massive Attack.
Michael Kiwaunuka, Mercury Music Prize nominated solo artist, told the Sun Time that Callier was an influential artist for him.
‘Those nuances, colours, times and chords inspire me so much, I want to make a mish-mash of all that. I knew Terry’s first album very well.’
His death has seen tributes from Beth Orton and Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody.
Photo by Leena Hernesniemi
