As an artist, certain artists that walk among us can reaffirm the reason we do what we do. It’s easy to get lost. You spend your life searching and searching…in my case, for sound. Discovery, application, and refinement. There is no guidebook. However, there are those artists that light the way: Coltrane, Monk, Miles and so on. They possess an ability to bypass the bullshit and strike the core of their aesthetic and build upon that, innovate, and inspire.

Paul Motian was an artist that represented that for me. Beyond the most notable recordings he appeared on, Motian created a lengthy catalogue of beautiful sounds that he left us. I recommend them as highly as any other recording.

I think back fondly to a conversation I had with Charlie Haden about Paul Motian. We spoke after I watched and listened to Charlie play along to the classic Bill Evans recordings that featured Paul & Scott LaFaro. Both Paul and Charlie later went on to one of the greatest ensembles in the history of music with Keith Jarrett. The time I spent with Charlie is among the greatest I have had, and the listening experiences with Paul are as well.

Today we lost a man that is irreplaceable. At 80 years old, Paul Motian lived a life that contributed more than we may ever understand. 

My heart is very heavy this evening. May the memory of Paul and his music comfort us all. 

Armen