Leslie Coleman McCann, born on September 23, 1935, in Lexington, Kentucky, was an American jazz pianist and singer. He came from a musical family of four, with a brother and three sisters, and they often sang in church choirs. His dad loved jazz, and his mom enjoyed humming opera songs at home.
When he was young, McCann played the tuba and drums in his school’s marching band. He taught himself to play the piano mostly, although he had a few piano lessons for a short time when he was six years old, but his teacher sadly passed away.
Who is the enigmatic woman behind the renowned American jazz pianist Les McCann? Delving into the personal life of this celebrated musician, one can’t help but wonder about his marital partner. What is known about her? How has she influenced his life and career? What story lies behind their union?
Who is Les Mccann Wife?
Les McCann was a famous jazz musician and pianist known for his music and personal life. However, there is not much information available about his wife in the user profile or through research. It’s unclear whether he was married during his lifetime or not.
Les Mccann Career and Professional Life
Les McCann was in the U.S. Navy and won a singing contest. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Later, he moved to California and played music with his own trio.
He had a chance to join Cannonball Adderley’s band but chose to focus on his own music. The trio started playing at the Purple Onion club in 1959 with Gene McDaniels.
In the early 1960s, McCann recorded music as a pianist with his trio for Pacific Jazz. In 1969, he released an album called “Swiss Movement” with saxophonist Eddie Harris and trumpeter Benny Bailey, which included the song “Compared to What.” The album and the song made it to the Billboard pop charts, and “Compared to What” was critical of the Vietnam War.
McCann started emphasizing his vocals and blended jazz with funk, soul, and world rhythms. He was one of the first jazz musicians to use electric piano, clavinet, and synthesizer in his music.
In 1971, he and Harris performed in Ghana for a big concert along with other artists like Wilson Pickett, Santana, and Ike & Tina Turner. This event was captured in the documentary film “Soul to Soul.”
McCann had a stroke in the mid-1990s but made a comeback in 2002 with the release of “Pump it Up.” He was also known for his work as a painter and photographer.
Les Mccann Cause of Death and Legacy
Many websites have reported that McCann passed away in a Los Angeles hospital on December 29, 2023, at the age of 88, supposedly due to pneumonia. However, we couldn’t find any official confirmation about the cause of his death from his family and friends. Therefore, we cannot definitively state what led to McCann’s death.
McCann’s music has been widely used in hip hop. In the 1990s and 2000s, nearly 300 artists sampled his work. Some of these artists include well-known names like A Tribe Called Quest, Cypress Hill, De La Soul, the Notorious B.I.G., Sean Combs, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Mary J. Blige, the Pharcyde, Eric B. and Rakim, Mobb Deep, Gang Starr, and Raekwon.
Billie Joe Armstrong, the renowned musician, tied the knot with his wife, Adrienne Armstrong, back in 1994. Their enduring love story has been an inspiration to many. On the other hand, the enigmatic Miguel McKelvey keeps his personal life private, leaving fans curious about his mysterious partner. These two artists share a common thread of secrecy surrounding their marital lives.
Many of Les Mccann’s Friends Pay Tribute to Him
Gerald Albright pays tribute to Les McCann with a deep message:
I’m truly saddened at the loss of my dear friend, Les McCann. Spoke to him only a couple of weeks ago, and his spirit was uplifting, and he was still the jokester that I’ve always known. Playing in his band was truly fulfilling. There were no limits, freedom jazz, good times. RIP
I’m truly saddened at the loss of my dear friend, Les McCann. Spoke to him only a couple of weeks ago, and his spirit was uplifting, and he was still the jokester that I’ve always known. Playing in his band was truly fulfilling. There were no limits, freedom jazz, good times. RIP pic.twitter.com/ZzvfUOq8ny
— Gerald Albright (@GAAlbright) January 2, 2024
Rest in Power to the wonderful Les McCann whos music made life itself better. A fantastic singer/ pianist and discoverer of talent, he introduced Roberta Flack to the world, made fantastic records with Eddie Harris and walked the line between Jazz and Soul as well as anyone ever
— Dante Ross (@DanteRoss) January 1, 2024
