He was jazz pianist, songwriter and bandleader born in Bermuda, who became blind while still very young but studied classical piano before teaching himself to play jazz.
He became acclaimed and when artists such as Marvin Gaye and Sarah Vaughan went to Bermuda to perform they would request him to accompany them. He arranged music for the American Air Force bands that were based in Bermuda and formed the Mu-En Chorale which performed choral arrangements for o over 20 years. He lived in Bermuda until he was 50, when he moved to New York City and played in many of the jazz clubs.
The Lance Hayward Singers were established in 1984 and his concerts would include a vast repertoire that ranged from Duke Ellington to Johann Sebastian Bach. Since his death the ensemble has continued to perform under the direction of Claudia Marx and with the pianist Yuka Aikawa.
He died in the Mount Sinai Hospital, New York from pneumonia when he was 75.
Johnny Mathis recordings
Gone, Gone. Gone (L. Russell Brown/Lance Hayward )
Sources: