Yes I knew the name and some of the big names he had worked with. I enjoyed the videos here of his performances. I believe I heard he had passed. If I am wrong then I do apologize. Rumors make us all look and sound stupid sometimes. There are many ways to die. The trick is staying alive. Musicians are easily made into prey from the preditors. Naive and trusting for the most part they easily become trusting victims.
I have heard and worked with hundreds of great musicians in my life. But they just keep on coming and life goes on without them.