Despite nearly coming to an end 2016 continues to take. Drummer, musician, composer, arranger, producer and actor Alphonse Mouzon has passed away on December 25, 2016. He was 68 years-old. In September, Mouzon was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called neuroendocrine carcinoma. Mouzon was born on November 21, 1948 in Charleston, South Carolina. Mouzon was the drummer for the influential and important jazz fusion band The Eleventh House.

Previous to that in 1970, Mouzon helped found the jazz fusion band Weather Report, for which he was drummer. In 1973 Mouzon released his debut album The Essence of Mystery on the legendary labelBlue Note. Over his long career Mouzon played with Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Roberta Flack,Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, Betty Davis, and many, many more.

Questlove took to Instagram to pay his respects. He wrote, "If you were to ask #JohnBonham of LedZep who his drumming hero was. He'd no doubt declare the great #AlphonseMouzon the fairest of them all. And that is a correct statement. I can't even BEGIN to tell you of his influence on me drumming. Rest In Beats Alphonse!"

H/T: Inquisitr