Alfred

Tyner

Remembering Alfred
Alfred McCoy Tyner was an American jazz pianist known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet and a long solo career. He
was an NEA Jazz Master and a five-time Grammy winner. Not a player of electric keyboards and synthesizers, he was committed
to acoustic instrumentation. Tyner, who was widely imitated, was one of the most recognizable and most influential pianists in jazz
history.
Tyner was born in Philadelphia, as the oldest of three children of Jarvis and Beatrice (Stevenson) Tyner. He was encouraged to
study piano by his mother. He began studying the piano at age 13 and within two years music had become the focal point in
his life. He studied at West Philadelphia Music School and later at the Granoff School of Music. During his teens he led his own
group, the Houserockers.
He is survived by his wife, Aisha Tyner; their son, Nurudeen, known as Deen; his brother and sister, Jarvis Tyner and GwendolynYvette Tyner; three grandchildren, Amir Tyner, Rena Tyner, Joshua Tyner; sister in law, Justine Keeys; nieces, Tonya Taylor, and Alia
Tyner; nephews, Colby Tyner and Michael Tyner; and daughter in law, Cui Ma Tyner.