To recount one of jazz music's pioneering people in just few sentences is never easy. Especially when they had a career that spanned over six decades and over 100 albums.

Pianist Paul Bley first made his name in the jazz world while playing with Charlie Parker's band in the early 50's. In 1953, he conducted Charles Mingus on Charles Mingus and His Orchestra and Mingus returned the favor by producing Introducing Paul Bley, an album which included Mingus and drummer Art Blakey.

In the late 50's he worked with cats like Ornette Coleman and Charlie Haden. By the time the mid 60's rolled around he part of a stable of artists including Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, Archie Taylor and Bley's wife, Carla, were presenting weekly concerts in New York City and introducing audiences to the whole new world of free jazz.

Never one to stay in a comfort zone, Bley took an interest in synthesizers in the late 60's and became a noted innovator in the use of Moog.

In the 70's he returned to the piano as his predominant instrument and help introduced Jaco Pastorus, Pat Metheny and Lester Bowie to a wider audience through his multi-media project and label, Improvising Artists.

Bley joined the faculty of the New England Music Conservatory in the 1990's and continued to nurture and expand the minds of young musical artists.

In 2008, the Canadian born Bley was made a Member of the Order of Canada, the second highest honour the country awards.

Paul Bley passed away in his home this past Sunday at the age of 83.

Let's listen to "Ida Lupino", a song composed by Carla Bley and performed by Paul on his 1972 album on the ECM label Open To Love.

What are you listening to tonight?