Why was Herbie Nichols important?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, during his lifetime, Herbie Nichols was not important. Certainly fewer people heard him perform or heard his records than they did Dodo Marmarosa (who?). However, he had disciples of the ilk of Roswell Rudd who recognized the unique balance of erudition and humor that embued Nichols' compositions and performances, During his all too short life and (more significantly) now, they continued to try to tell the jazz world what it was missing. Like Thelonious Monk, whom Nichols admired early on, Nichols music and performances bring a welcome smile. The more one is exposed to his music, the more evident is his wit. This is his legacy and why he is of increasingly greater importance to appreciative jazz performers and fans. Unfortunately, during his lifetime, Herbie Nichols was not important. Certainly fewer people heard him perform or heard his records than they did Dodo Marmarosa (who?). However, he had disciples of the ilk of Roswell Rudd who recognized the unique balance of erudition and humor that embued Nichols' compositions and performances, During his all too short life and (more significantly) now, they continued to try to tell the jazz world what it was missing. Like Thelonious Monk, whom Nichols admired early on, Nichols' music and performances bring a welcome smile. The more one is exposed to his music, the more evident is his wit. This is his legacy and why he is of increasingly greater importance to appreciative jazz performers and fans.