George Wallington; Noted Jazz Pianist and Composer

George Wallington, the Sicilian-born jazz pianist and composer who became a seminal part of the World War II era of bop, died Monday in New York City.

A New York Hospital spokeswoman said Wallington, who headed his own trio and played with Dizzy Gillespie and many other jazz greats, was 69. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Wallington, born Giacinto Figlia, was the son of an opera singer. He immigrated to the United States in 1925.

He grew up in New York and studied at Juilliard. By age 16 he was playing professionally with local bands in Greenwich Village.

He was befriended by drummer Max Roach and in 1944 played in Gillespie’s first combo at New York’s Onyx Club on 52nd Street.

He also performed with bop immortal Charlie Parker and later with Lionel Hampton, Georgie Auld, Joe Marsala, Gerry Mulligan and Kai Winding, among others. He toured Europe with Hampton.

Adroit as a pianist, Wellington was equally known in jazz circles for his compositions. Among them are “Lemon Drop,” recorded by Gene Krupa and Woody Herman, and “God Child,” recorded by Miles Davis.

Others he penned include “Morning Dew,” “Lady Fair,” “Way Out There” and “My April Heart.”