Jimmy Amadie

Jazz pianist, educator, composer and author. He was born on January 5, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He had a promising performing career as a jazz pianist suddenly come to an abrupt end due to developing severe tendonitis in both hands, which caused severe pain. He devoted himself to teaching jazz and writing several books. After many reconstructive surgeries on his hands, intense physical therapy and hard work, he was able to resume performing. He recorded a number of CDs as a leader beginning in the early 1990s, though he was ill with lung cancer by the time he made his final CD in 2011. He died in Philadelphia on December 10, 2013.