American jazz drummer, composer and bandleader. Born : October 11, 1919 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Died : October 16, 1990 in New York City (Manhattan), New York. He started as a musician in the early 1940s, briefly leading his own big band. From 1944 he started playing in Billy Eckstine's big band. He was the leader and creator of the Jazz Messengers, started in 1954, he played together with them until his death. From 1947 until 1972 he also recorded regularly with Thelonious Monk.