The great bassist passed away at 85 last week. I recently wrote about his early years for JazzTimes. Gary and I spoke briefly on the phone before publication, he appreciated the comments and said they were accurate.

One to listen for a memorial is December Poems, which is mostly solo, elegiac in tone, and quite gorgeous. All of Peacock’s work with Paul Bley is by definition outstanding. However the last disc of the ’60s, Mr. Joy with Billy Elgart, is a notable masterpiece and should be better known.

Peacock is now most famous for the extraordinary trio with Keith Jarrett and Jack Dejohnette. All their records have value, but I will always have a special soft spot for the freewheeling early sessions, the 1983 studio music, Standards Live, and Still Live.