Bud Powell
Pianist
One of the pioneers of bebop, along with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. He was considered one of jazz's most important pianists.
He began playing piano at age five, and by age 10, he could imitate Art Tatum and Fats Waller.
He was severely beaten by the police while visiting Philadelphia at the age of 20, an incident that left him incoherent and mentally unstable. He was institutionalized several times throughout his life, including in 1947, during which he was given electroconvulsive therapy, and again in 1951, following an arrest for marijuana possession.
His father was a stride pianist who recognized his son's talents early on and enrolled him in classical-piano lessons.
He drew great inspiration from his colleague and fellow pianist Thelonious Monk.