Jazz Great Benny Golson, Composer of ‘Killer Joe,’ Dies at 95

Benny Golson, renowned tenor saxophonist, composer, and NEA Jazz Master, passed away at his Manhattan home on Saturday at the age of 95, following a short illness, his longtime manager Jason Franklin confirmed.

Golson's career spanned seven decades, during which he became one of jazz's most revered figures. A Philadelphia native, Golson was influenced early by his childhood friend John Coltrane and later worked with jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton and Art Blakey. He also co-founded the influential sextet, the Jazztet, with trumpeter Art Farmer in 1959.

We have lost our great Maestro Benny Golson. A bright flame of an epic era has gone out. Not only a maestro of the tenor saxophone, he was a vessel of knowledge with an extraordinary gift in disseminating this knowledge through story telling. God bless you Benny. pic.twitter.com/AW5HYi47C8

— Charles Lloyd (@CharlesLloydSax) September 23, 2024

As a composer, Golson's works became jazz standards. Songs like "I Remember Clifford," "Whisper Not," "Along Came Betty" and "Killer Joe" remain key pieces in the jazz repertoire, played and recorded by musicians worldwide.

Lee Morgan & Benny Golson play with Art Blakey. Live in Paris, 1958 pic.twitter.com/OOflqZztwM

— M. (@MatyldaStein) February 19, 2024

Outside of performance, Golson contributed to television and film, scoring for series like "MASH*" and "Mission: Impossible," and he even made a cameo in the 2004 film "The Terminal," starring Tom Hanks.

Golson's impact on jazz extended far beyond his music. He appeared in the iconic "A Great Day in Harlem" photo in 1958, alongside 56 other jazz legends, and was one of the last surviving members of that historic moment.

RIP Benny Golson (1929-2024)

🎥 The Terminal (2004, Steven Spielberg)
pic.twitter.com/1MWvmuvlmI

— jeff (@jazyjef) September 22, 2024

Jazz historian Monifa Brown, host of WBGO’s Saturday Evening Jazz, paid tribute to Golson, saying, “The modern jazz lexicon simply would not be what it is without the distinctive compositions of Benny Golson. His ability to be a phenomenal composer and soloist simultaneously was rare, and his influence is felt on every corner of the globe.”

Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride also expressed his sorrow, writing on Facebook, “He represented an era of class and sophistication. I’m forever thankful to have played with him.”

Benny Golson is survived by his wife, Bobbie, and their daughter, Brielle.

'Significant Human Impact': 50 Cent's Diddy Docuseries Promises Unflinching Look

Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is producing a Netflix documentary series examining allegations of sex trafficking, racketeering, sexual assault, and violent abuse against fellow music industry mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. Directed by Alexandria Stapleton, the project is currently in production.

“This is a story with significant human impact. It is a complex narrative spanning decades, not just the headlines or clips seen so far,” Jackson and Stapleton said in a joint statement to Variety. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to give a voice to the voiceless and to present authentic and nuanced perspectives. While the allegations are disturbing, we urge all to remember that Sean Combs’ story is not the full story of hip-hop and its culture. We aim to ensure that individual actions do not overshadow the culture’s broader contributions.”

The series marks a significant milestone in Jackson's production career, with his G-Unit Film & Television banner overseeing the project alongside Stapleton's House of Nonfiction. Jackson first announced the series in December after Combs was sued by four women, including ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, whose lawsuit in November 2023 opened the floodgates for more accusations. Ventura settled her case out of court, but further lawsuits soon followed.

Combs was arrested in New York last week and charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty to the charges but remains in custody after being denied bail during an appeal hearing.

Despite the mounting allegations, Combs has consistently denied any wrongdoing. After a video leaked in May showing him physically assaulting Ventura in a hotel, he took to social media, issuing a public apology and taking "full responsibility" for his actions. This was his first and only admission of misconduct, following years of denying various accusations.

“For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,” Combs said in a statement posted to social media in December. “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family, and for the truth.”

The post, which read "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH," was later removed from Combs' Instagram account but remains pinned to his X (formerly Twitter) profile.

In March, Homeland Security agents raided Combs' Los Angeles and Miami properties. Shortly afterward, Combs shared a clip from his 1998 music video "Victory," with the caption "Bad Boy for life," in what appeared to be a symbolic reference to his past defiance against law enforcement.

50 Cent, a vocal critic of Combs on social media, has repeatedly used these events to underscore the importance of the documentary. After former model Crystal McKinney's lawsuit against Combs surfaced, Jackson posted on Instagram: "TMZ use this fat boy picture of me because their doc went to Tubi LOL. It’s ok guys we’re all making good television, mine just happens to be the best! NETFLIX wins the bidding war but if more victims keep coming out, I’m gonna need more episodes."

'Justice Served': T.I., Tiny Triumph in David vs. Goliath Doll Fight

Hip-hop mogul T.I. and his wife Tameka "Tiny" Harris were awarded a staggering $71 million by a federal jury on Monday, which found that toy giant MGA Entertainment willfully infringed on the likeness of the couple's teen pop group, OMG Girlz, in its popular "L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G." line of dolls.

T.I., Tiny & OMG Girlz win massive $71 million jury award at OMG Girlz infringement/appropriation trial against L.O.L. Surprise dollmaker MGA Entertainment

$17,872,359 in real damages

$53,616,759 in punitive damages

— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) September 23, 2024

The three-week trial, the third in a protracted legal battle between the Harris family and MGA, culminated in an emotional victory for the couple and their daughters. The jury awarded $17.9 million in actual damages and an additional $53.6 million in punitive damages, sending a clear message about the importance of protecting intellectual property rights.

"Justice was served," T.I. declared outside the courthouse. "This is a testament to the resilience of my family and all creatives who fight to protect their work. Corporations can't just take what doesn't belong to them."

Tameka “Tiny” Harris and OMG Girlz leaving court after winning eye-popping $71 million jury award

Jury found MGA Entertainment, maker of “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls, violated the trade dress, name, image and likeness of the OMG Girlz pic.twitter.com/THFCnvhf2v

— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) September 24, 2024

The dispute centered on claims that MGA copied the distinctive "trade dress" – the overall look and feel – of the OMG Girlz, a group formed by Tiny in 2009 and featuring her daughter Zonnique "Star" Pullins along with Bahja "Beauty" Rodriguez and Breaunna "Babydoll" Womack. The jury specifically found that 13 MGA dolls infringed on the group's trade dress, while two others misappropriated their name, image, and likeness.

They most definitely created that brand around the OMG Girlz...

I have to say that was well deserved... but also just goes to show how much revenue they made off of them

When all they had to do was form a collaboration with them pic.twitter.com/guoXGyOdsL

— Shay Monyá (@Shay_Official1) September 24, 2024

Emotional Testimony and Consumer Confusion

Throughout the trial, the Harris family and the OMG Girlz members offered compelling testimony, recounting their shock and dismay upon discovering the striking resemblance between the dolls and their own carefully cultivated image. Tears flowed freely as the young women described feeling violated and exploited by MGA's actions.

Crucial to the Harrises' case was evidence of consumer confusion. Their attorney, John Keville, presented social media posts and other testimonials from fans who mistakenly believed the dolls were officially associated with the OMG Girlz. This evidence bolstered the argument that MGA deliberately capitalized on the group's popularity to boost sales.

A David vs. Goliath Battle

MGA Entertainment, known for its fiercely competitive approach to the toy market, vehemently denied any wrongdoing. CEO Isaac Larian dismissed the lawsuit as a "money grab" and accused the Harris family of extortion. MGA's legal team maintained that the dolls were original creations and that any similarities were coincidental.

However, the jury's verdict delivered a resounding blow to MGA's defense. The substantial punitive damages award underscored the jury's belief that MGA acted with malice or reckless indifference to the Harrises' rights.

A Long Road to Justice

The Harris family's fight for justice has been a long and arduous one. The first trial in January 2023 ended in a mistrial, and a second trial later that year resulted in a verdict favoring MGA. However, a June 2023 Supreme Court ruling on trademark law paved the way for a retrial, ultimately leading to the Harrises' triumphant victory.

This is what the verdict form looked ike, or pretty close to it. Jurors had to rule individually for 33 dolls.

They said the first eight infringe the OMG Girlz trade dress. pic.twitter.com/TpnZLVy8Pf

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) September 23, 2024

MGA to Appeal

Despite the overwhelming verdict, MGA's legal team has indicated that the company plans to appeal. The case is likely to continue generating headlines as it winds its way through the appeals process.

Regardless of the final outcome, the Harrises' victory serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of corporate giants, individuals and smaller entities can successfully defend their intellectual property rights.