Charles Moffett, a pioneering figure in jazz bass guitar, died at the age of 54. On April 11, he died of a heart attack at Stanford University Hospital.
At the time of his heart attack, Moffett was with his wife and longtime partner Jana Herzen, according to his publicist Lydia Liedman. He had been suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia, which caused him great anguish and which his family believes was a contributing factor in his death.
What is both tearjerkering and astounding about the death is that in an interview with Bass Player about the release of his 2021's "New Love," there was no hint of his condition and he did not specifically bring it up.
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New Love, he said, was "to bring a little light and joy to the world right now when it's in such a dark place. The music is supposed to make people feel good!" It's remarkable how he could have been in such a good and light place, despite his illness.
That's what Moffett did over the course of a 40-year career. In addition to his father, Charles Moffett, being a jazz drummer, he was a mentor and inspiration to his son. Charnett would do the same, participating on Coleman's groundbreaking instrumental double album Sound Museum in 1996.
Moffett, who was born on June 10th, 1967, began playing bass at a young age after first learning to play drums. It was in the blood to be a musician. He was a member of the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, Art Blakey's Quartet, McCoy Tyner's Quartet, Herbie Hancock's Quartet, Harry Connick Jr.'s Quartet and Bette Midler's Quartet, among many others, all of whom studied at Juilliard.
He made his Blue Note debut in 1987 as a leader with Net Man, which featured guitarist Stanley Jordan. He was prolific both as a leader of a band and as a sideman. His usual effusiveness in praising the talents of his fellow musicians is on display.
Moffett understood jazz, no doubt about it. He believes it as having a concrete power to raise people's spirits and give them strength.
"It's a way of being in direct communication with people, and trying to uplift their spirit and make them have a good day, even if it's just for an hour a day," he said.
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