Jazz Musician Sam Rivers Dies at 88

9:24 PM PST 12/27/2011 by David Greenwald, Billboard

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The saxophonist played with Miles Davis and Billie Holiday.

Jazz great Sam Rivers died on Monday, the saxophonist's family announced. He was 88.

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According to the New York Times, pneumonia was the cause of death.

Rivers' multi-decade career included stints with Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, including his contributions to the 1964 "Miles in Tokyo" live album.

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With bands of his own, he released several albums for Blue Note Records including the influential post-bop set "Fuchsia Swing Song." In the '70s, River and wife Beatrice opened the New York loft performance space Studio Rivbea, a key addition to the experimental jazz scene. After moving to Florida in his later years, he performed and recorded with the Rivbea All-Star Orchestra as well as in smaller combos.

In addition to the tenor and soprano saxophone, Rivers played flute and piano and served as a composer and arranger.