TORTWORTH based jazz pianist Keith Tippett, who collaborated with Robert Wyatt, Soft Machine and King Crimson amongst others, has passed away at the age of 72.
He died on Sunday after suffering from a heart attack.
Originally from Bristol, Keith was known for his unique approach as a pianist.
He often performed with his wife, vocalist Julie Tippetts.
A statement on Keith's website reads: "We are deeply saddened by the death of Keith Tippett. A sincere, gentle, loving, vivacious incredible spirit who gave not only through his music but through his teaching, inspiring hundreds of students worldwide.
"His achievements are many, through performance, leading the way in the world of improvisation, compositionally, pushing the boundaries of jazz and Western Classical music as we understand it and as an educator most notably at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and at Dartington Arts.
"However, his largest achievements, he would agree, are his children Inca and Luke and his life long journey with soul mate Julie Tippetts.
In a 2019 interview with the Morning Star, Keith said that he lived by the ethos: “May music never become just another way of making money.”
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