Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Claude Black

Lauded jazz pianist and legendary Toledo musician Claude Black succumbed to his year-long battle with cancer and passed away on Saturday, January 19th at the age of 80. Claude was a staple on the Toledo jazz scene who started his career in Detroit at age 16 playing with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Charlie Parker and Wes Montgomery. He was the house pianist at Murphy’s for over two decades where he regularly performed as well as mentored young Toledo jazz musicians, passing along his vast knowledge of music to several generations of players. A true artist and gentleman, Claude was known for his friendly demeanor and desire to hear other people’s stories rather than tell his own. He will be dearly missed by Toledo’s citizens and music scene. —GMK 

Lauded jazz pianist and legendary Toledo musician Claude Black succumbed to his year-long battle with cancer and passed away on Saturday, January 19th at the age of 80. Claude was a staple on the Toledo jazz scene who started his career in Detroit at age 16 playing with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Charlie Parker and Wes Montgomery. He was the house pianist at Murphy’s for over two decades where he regularly performed as well as mentored young Toledo jazz musicians, passing along his vast knowledge of music to several generations of players. A true artist and gentleman, Claude was known for his friendly demeanor and desire to hear other people’s stories rather than tell his own. He will be dearly missed by Toledo’s citizens and music scene. —GMK 

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