R.I.P.: Cees Slinger

The pianist Cees Slinger died September 29th at the age of 77 in The Hague. He was a favorite accompanist for many American musicians and played with Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin and many others. Slinger was a self-taught musician and worked as in the insurance business before becoming a full-time musician in the 50s. In the 50s and 60s he worked with the Diamond Five, an Amsterdam-based hardbop band. From 1962-74 he had a day job until Philly Joe Jones urged him to quit and start touring again. In the 80s he taught at the Rotterdam Conservatory and was awarded the prestigious Bird Award at the North Sear Jazz Festival in 1996.