American jazz (and funk, hip hop, rhythm & blues, musical genres) pianist, composer and organist. Born : October 27, 1943 in Hampton, Virginia. Died : April 09, 2002 in Uniondale, New York. An artist of moderate success yet monumental influence, he was a pioneer of jazz-funk fusion and Nina Simone's band leader. A major contributor to the 1970s Black Arts Movement, Irvine who wrote over 500 songs and over 50 theatre plays, was also integral to the evolution of hip hop, from its inception through its golden era of consciousness and heavy jazz-laden sampling, as we hear from Mos Def and Q-Tip. His dedicated mentorship sparked a movement in his long-time residence of Jamaica/St. Albans, Queens, helping develop some of the most well-known figures in jazz today. Since 2023, all works related to him are controlled worldwide by P-Vine Records.
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