George russell died a short time ago. not a name that should mean much to those who don't follow jazz, but it has a boxing connection.
russell was a jazz pianist with a group in a club in cincinnati. ezzard charles used to stop in frequently and sit in on bass. russell wrote a tune dedicated to him - ezz-thetic. it's from the bop era and musicians play it often. russell went on to become one of the major composers in modern jazz and was a big influence on miles davis.