Jazz Drummer Steve Reid Dead at 66

Steve Reid, a jazz drummer who worked with the likes of Miles Davis, James Brown and, more recently, Four Tet, died Tuesday night. Domino Records (v\a TwentyFourBit) confirmed that the 66-year-old had been battling cancer.

Reid began drumming at age 16, with his first recording gig backing Martha and the Vandellas as part of the Apollo Theatre House Band, which was directed by Quincy Jones. He would go on to collaborate with Ornette Coleman, Fela Kuti and Sun Ra, as well as working as a session drummer for Motown.

In addition to his traditional jazz styles, Reid incorporated African styles into his music, and later lived in Europe for a time. He recorded four improvisational albums with Four Tet, the most recent being 2008's 'NYC,' and the UK electronic musician called Reid his "musical soul mate."

Gilles Peterson, a European DJ and label owner, broke the news on Twitter, writing, "Devastated by the news that my friend drummer Steve Reid passed away last night in New York -- a true inspiration who will be greatly missed."