Stanley Cowell (1941–2020) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and educator renowned for his innovative contributions to the genre. A Toledo, Ohio native, he began piano at four and was profoundly influenced by Art Tatum. Cowell's diverse career included collaborations with jazz luminaries such as Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, and Stan Getz. In 1971, he co-founded Strata-East Records with Charles Tolliver, championing artist-owned music production. His compositions often blended jazz with African and classical elements, exemplified in albums like "Musa: Ancestral Streams" and "Regeneration." Beyond performance, Cowell was a dedicated educator, teaching at Rutgers University and inspiring future generations of musicians. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Cowell?utm_source=openai))