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American jazz pianist and composer, pioneering figure in hard bop.Born in Norwalk, Connecticut, to Cape Verdean immigrants. Co-founded the Jazz Messengers with Art Blakey (1953). Recorded over 30 albums as bandleader for Blue Note Records. Developed distinctive compositional style blending bebop with gospel, blues, and Latin rhythms. Active performer until 2004.

• Silver's Cape Verdean heritage profoundly influenced his music, inspiring his use of Portuguese folk rhythms in compositions like 'Song for My Father'.
• The Jazz Messengers, co-founded with Art Blakey, launched careers of jazz legends like Hank Mobley and Kenny Dorham before Silver left in 1956.
• His 1964 album 'Song for My Father' became his signature work, later sampled by A Tribe Called Quest and Steely Dan.
• Silver embraced Eastern spirituality in the 1970s, composing suites like 'The United States of Mind' exploring metaphysical themes.
• Died of natural causes at age 85 in New Rochelle, New York, after withdrawing from public life due to Alzheimer's disease.