Soul Jazz Pioneer Les McCann Dies at 88

McCann's Influential Career Spanned Six Decades, Leaving a Lasting Impact on Hip-Hop Music

Les McCann, a pioneer of the 'soul jazz' style, passed away on December 29, 2023, at the age of 88 due to pneumonia.
McCann's most acclaimed work was his 1969 performance of 'Compared to What,' a politically charged protest song that became a rhythm-and-blues hit during the Vietnam War.
McCann's music, which combined jazz with the melodies and rhythms of Black gospel music and blues, influenced later generations of hip-hop musicians, including Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and A Tribe Called Quest.
Despite criticism for experimenting with electronic instruments and moving away from his jazz roots, McCann maintained that his musical inspiration came from within.
McCann's career spanned over six decades, during which he released more than 60 albums and wrote hundreds of songs.