Stanley Cowell – born in Toledo, Ohio on May 5, 1941 – was a jazz pianist who
helped found Strata-East Records. Cowell began playing piano at the age of four
and was inspired to pursue jazz when he saw Art Tatum, a family friend, play
live. After high school, he began studying at Oberlin College, then went to the
University of Michigan, earning a graduate degree in classical piano. Relocating
to New York, Cowell played with jazz greats like Marion Brown, Bobby Hutcherson,
Jack DeJohnette, Harold Land, Sonny Rollins and Stan Getz. He joined the Max
Roach Quintet, where he met trum...