LOS ANGELES — Les McCann, one of the most innovative and sampled Jazz musicians in history, died Friday in Los Angeles at 88.
McCann passed away one week after being hospitalized with pneumonia, The Associated Press reported.
McCann, who was born and raised in Lexington Kentucky, and started his career in music after winning a singing competition while he was serving in the U.S. Navy and appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
McCann, who was a self-taught pianist and vocalist, was frequently sampled in hip-hop by popular music artists and producers, including Dr. Dre, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, The Pharcyde, and many more.
More on the life and career of Les McCann.
