Date of Birth: March 20, 1918
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: August 20, 2013
Biography
Marian McPartland was a renowned English-American jazz pianist, composer, and radio host. Born as Margaret Marian Turner in Slough, England, she displayed an early talent for music, particularly the piano. She studied at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music in London before joining a four-piano vaudeville act during World War II, entertaining Allied troops. It was during this time she met her future husband, American cornetist Jimmy McPartland, whom she married in 1945. Post-war, the couple moved to the United States, where Marian quickly made a name for herself in the jazz scene. She gained prominence in the 1950s with her performances at the Hickory House in New York City, one of the few female instrumentalists to lead a band during that era. Her style was known for its lyrical and intricate improvisations, blending elements of classical music with jazz. In 1978, Marian began hosting “Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz” on National Public Radio (NPR), a show that would become one of the longest-running cultural programs on public radio. Over the decades, she interviewed and played with a plethora of jazz greats, earning her a Peabody Award and a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement. McPartland continued to perform and record well into her later years, leaving an indelible mark on the world of jazz before her passing in 2013.
5 Interesting Facts about Marian McPartland
1. Marian McPartland was one of the few women to lead a jazz band in the 1950s.
2. She was awarded a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 2004.
3. Her radio show, “Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz,” ran for over 30 years.
4. McPartland was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.
5. She was known for her ability to play by ear and her improvisational skills.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Marian McPartland
1. “The key to improvisation is motion.”
2. “Jazz is an open-ended music designed for open minds.”
3. “One of the things I like about jazz, kid, is I don’t know what’s going to happen next. Do you?”
4. “The things that are most important don’t always scream the loudest.”
5. “I love to play for people. It’s the only way I know how to make sense out of life.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Marian McPartland’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million.
Children
Marian McPartland did not have any children.
Relevant Links
2. [Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz Archives](https://www.npr.org/sections/marian-mcpartland
3. [Jazz Journal’s Obituary](https://www.jazzjournal.co.uk/2013/08/21/marian-mcpartland-1918-2013/
4. [AllMusic Biography](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/marian-mcpartland-mn0000678603/biography
