Chris Anderson (February 26, 1926 – February 4, 2008) was an American jazz pianist, who might be best known as an influence on Herbie Hancock.
[1] Born in Chicago on February 26, 1926, Anderson taught himself piano and started playing in Chicago clubs in the mid-1940s and played with Von Freeman and Charlie Parker, among others.
[2] Despite the respect of his peers, Anderson had difficulty finding work or popular acclaim due in large part to his disabilities.
[3] He was blind and his bones were unusually fragile, causing numerous fractures, which at times compromised his ability to perform at the times or places requested,[3] although he continued to record until he was well into his 70s.
[4] He died of a stroke on February 4, 2008, in Manhattan, New York City, at the age of 81.