Horace Silver (1928–2014), pianist-composer and hard-bop architect, fused gospel riffs, bluesy hooks and Latin colour into finger-snapping grooves. A founding force behind the Jazz Messengers, he later led classic Blue Note bands with Blue Mitchell and Junior Cook. Signatures: “Song for My Father,” “Señor Blues,” “The Preacher,” “Doodlin’.” Essentials: Song for My Father, Blowin’ the Blues Away.