Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove passes away after longtime fight with kidney disease

Grammy Award-winning jazz musician Roy Hargrove has died at the young age of 49. Upon hearing of his passing, celebrities paid tribute to his brilliance on social media. 

One of the world’s greatest trumpeters of his generation, Roy Hargrove has died at the age of 49. His longtime manager, Larry Clothier confirmed the news in a statement released to the press. 

The Grammy-winning jazz artist died in his home in New York on November 2. He succumbed to a cardiac arrest after a long-term battle with kidney disease.

FIRE AND FURY

According to Clothier, Hargrove “was known just as intensely for his brimming fire and fury as he was for his gorgeous, signature balladry. Over and over, his sound attested to and sanctified his deep love for music. His unselfish timbre covered the waterfront of every musical landscape.”

OUTPOUR OF TRIBUTES

Upon news of his death, celebrities he worked with in the past paid tribute to him on social media. Among them, Don Cheadle, Anita Baker, and Erykah Badu. 

Cheadle described Hargrove as a “beautiful soul” and “young lion.” Baker deemed him a “soulful, BRILLIANT, Young Master.” Badu simply tweeted a heart emoji along with the musician’s name. 

AWARDS AND DIVERSITY

Hargrove was a native of Waco, Texas who was discovered at a performing arts high school in Dallas. He released his first solo album, “Diamond in the Rough” in 1990. He won his first of two Grammys in 1998 for the album, “Habana” courtesy of his Afro-Cuban band, Crisol. In 2002, he won his second Grammy for Directions in Music: Live at Massey Hall” a collaboration with pianist Herbie Hancock and saxophonist Michael Brecker. 

Hargrove was known for shifting from one style of music to another. He ventured into Cuban and electronic music, R&B and hip-hop. He performed with a diverse range of artists from Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, to Common. 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The famous trumpeter was also reported to have struggled with substance abuse in the past. He pled guilty to cocaine possession in 2014 and was sentenced to two days of community service. 

Hargrove is survived by his wife Aida, and daughter Kamela. He was scheduled to perform at Bethany Baptist Church in New Jersey on November 3. A series of memoriam shows have been posted on his Facebook page to celebrate his life.