Artist page · 05/07/2026

Horace Silver

NorwalkBorn in 1928Bebop9 vinyl albums
Horace Silver, born in 1928 in Norwalk, Connecticut, was a US jazz pianist and composer influential in hard bop and soul jazz. He blended blues, gospel, and rhythm and blues into his music, shaping jazz piano from the 1950s onward.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
9Albums on Vinyles.com
1339Discogs releases
544kLast.fm listeners

About

Key Blue Note LPs from the 1950s and 1960s, with original pressings commanding notable collector interest.

Horace Silver is widely recognized for integrating percussive piano styles with swinging, soulful compositions that contributed significantly to the hard bop movement. He co-founded the Jazz Messengers in 1953 alongside drummer Art Blakey, cementing his role as a key figure in jazz evolution. Over his career, Silver recorded numerous albums primarily on Blue Note Records, spanning studio work and live sessions. His music reflects layered emotions, balancing exuberant rhythms with underlying melancholic themes.

Silver's discography includes landmark albums such as "Song For My Father" (1964), "Blowin' The Blues Away" (1959), and "Further Explorations" (1958).

Discography

Horace Silver discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Silver In Seattle: Live At The PenthouseBlue Note · 2025
2025
Silver In Seattle: Live At The Penthouse
Vinyl, LP, Album
Live
Live in Paris - 14 Février 1959Frémeaux & Associés · 2016
2016
Live in Paris - 14 Février 1959
CD, Album
Live
Live At Newport '58Blue Note · 2008
2008
Live At Newport '58
CD, Album
Live
Paris BluesPablo Records · 2002
2002
Paris Blues
CD, Album
Studio
Jazz... Has... A Sense Of HumorVerve Records · 1999
1999
Jazz... Has... A Sense Of Humor
CD, Album
Studio
A Prescription For The BluesImpulse! · 1997
1997
A Prescription For The Blues
CD, Album
Studio
The Hardbop GrandpopImpulse! · 1996
1996
The Hardbop Grandpop
CD, Album
Studio
Pencil Packin' PapaColumbia · 1994
1994
Pencil Packin' Papa
CD, Album
Studio
It's Got To Be FunkyColumbia · 1993
1993
It's Got To Be Funky
CD, Album
Studio
The Natives Are Restless TonightEmerald Records · 1990
1990
The Natives Are Restless Tonight
CD, Album
Studio
Silver 'N Strings Play The Music Of The SpheresBlue Note · 1980
1980
Silver 'N Strings Play The Music Of The Spheres
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Silver 'N PercussionBlue Note · 1978
1978
Silver 'N Percussion
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Silver 'N VoicesBlue Note · 1977
1977
Silver 'N Voices
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Silver 'N WoodBlue Note · 1976
1976
Silver 'N Wood
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Silver 'N BrassBlue Note · 1975
1975
Silver 'N Brass
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
In Pursuit Of The 27th ManBlue Note · 1973
1973
In Pursuit Of The 27th Man
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Song For My Father (Cantiga Para Meu Pai)Blue Note · 1964
1964
Song For My Father (Cantiga Para Meu Pai)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Blowin' The Blues AwayBlue Note · 1959
1959
Blowin' The Blues Away
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Further ExplorationsBlue Note · 1958
1958
Further Explorations
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
The Jazz Message OfSavoy Records · 1956
1956
The Jazz Message Of
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Silver's BlueEpic · 1956
1956
Silver's Blue
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Bohemia After DarkSavoy Records · 1955
1955
Bohemia After Dark
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Horace Silver's career.

01
Song For My Father
Song For My Father
Song For My Father (Cantiga Para Meu Pai) · 1964
02
Lonely Woman - Remastered 1999/Rudy Van Gelder Edition
·
03
Song For My Father (Rudy Van Gelder Edition) [1999 - Remastered]
·
04
Que Pasa
Que Pasa
Song For My Father (Cantiga Para Meu Pai) · 1964
05
Sister Sadie
Sister Sadie
Blowin' The Blues Away · 1959
06
Que Pasa (Trio Version)
·
07
Peace
Peace
Blowin' The Blues Away · 1959
08
Doodlin'
·

The essentials

The 3 Horace Silver albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1964
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Song For My Father

This 1964 Blue Note album is a cornerstone of hard bop and Latin jazz, featuring the celebrated title track that remains a jazz standard.

6 tracksBlue Note labelOriginal US pressing BLP 4185Includes 'Song For My Father' and 'The Natives Are Restless Tonight'
Discover the album
#2 · 1959
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Blowin' The Blues Away

A defining Blue Note release from 1959 showcasing Silver's blend of hard bop with blues influences through seven tracks.

7 tracksBlue Note labelOriginal pressing catno 4017 BLP 4017Includes 'Sister Sadie' and 'The Baghdad Blues'
Discover the album
#3 · 2025
LP, Album
Silver In Seattle: Live At The Penthouse

Recently released live album capturing a performance at The Penthouse, featuring extended tracks and classic Silver compositions.

6 tracksBlue Note labelWorldwide original pressing catno 00602478715686Live performance
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Horace Silver

Artists who share part of Horace Silver's musical DNA.

Hank Mobley
Hank Mobley
Lee Morgan
Lee Morgan
Sonny Clark
Sonny Clark
Horace Silver Quintet
Freddie Hubbard
Freddie Hubbard
Dexter Gordon
Dexter Gordon
Jackie McLean
Jackie McLean
Lou Donaldson

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Horace Silver

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

My playing is always percussive, yet I aim to keep the swing flowing with melody and soul.
— Horace Silver
01Band

Formation of The Jazz Messengers

In 1953, Horace Silver co-founded The Jazz Messengers with drummer Art Blakey, marking a pivotal moment in jazz hard bop history.

1953New York
02Recording

"Blowin' The Blues Away" session

The album "Blowin' The Blues Away" was recorded in 1959 for Blue Note Records, blending blues styles with Silver's trademark hard bop piano.

1959New York
03Pressings

Multiple pressings of "Song For My Father"

"Song For My Father" originally released in 1964 on Blue Note in mono and stereo formats, with original US presses highly sought after by collectors.

1964United States
04Session

"Silver In Seattle" live recording

The 2025 live album "Silver In Seattle: Live At The Penthouse" captures extended renditions of Silver's classics like "The Kicker" and "Song For My Father" during a Seattle performance.

2025Seattle

Records by Horace Silver

See all
Song For My Father - Front Cover Song For My Father - Back Cover

Song For My Father

Horace Silver
Bebop Jazz/Blues
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $19.99 3 offers
Silver in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse - Front Cover

Silver in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse

Horace Silver
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
BLUE NOTE
From $29.95 1 offer
Blowin’ The Blues Away - Front Cover

Blowin’ The Blues Away

Horace Silver
Bebop Jazz/Blues
BLUE NOTE
From $24.99 1 offer
Song For My Father - Front Cover

Song For My Father

Horace Silver
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
BLUE NOTE
From $30.90 1 offer
HORACE SILVER AND THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - Front Cover

HORACE SILVER AND THE JAZZ MESSENGERS

Horace Silver
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
SECOND FILINGS
From $26.97 1 offer
6 Pieces Of Silver - Front Cover

6 Pieces Of Silver

Horace Silver
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Pain
View details
BLOWIN©THE BLUES AWAY - Front Cover

BLOWIN©THE BLUES AWAY

Horace Silver
Bebop Jazz/Blues
Jazz Images
From $21.82 1 offer
FURTHER EXPLORATIONS/SILVER - Front Cover

FURTHER EXPLORATIONS/SILVER

Horace Silver
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
Blue Note
View details
And the Jazz Messengers - Front Cover

And the Jazz Messengers

Horace Silver
Bebop Jazz/Blues
DOM-Ermitage
View details

CDs by Horace Silver

Search all Horace Silver CDs
Silver in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse - Front Cover Silver in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse - Front Cover

Silver in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse

Horace Silver
Bebop Jazz/Blues
CD BLUE NOTE
From $16.93 2 offers

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Who was Horace Silver?

Horace Silver was an American jazz pianist and composer, known as a founder of the hard bop style and influential in soul jazz.

What genre of jazz did Horace Silver pioneer?

He was a major figure in hard bop and soul jazz, styles that integrate blues, gospel, and rhythm and blues influences.

What are some of Horace Silver's essential albums on vinyl?

Essential albums include "Song For My Father" (1964), "Blowin' The Blues Away" (1959), and the live release "Silver In Seattle" (2025).

Are there notable original vinyl pressings of Horace Silver's albums?

Yes, original Blue Note mono pressings of "Song For My Father" (1964) and "Blowin' The Blues Away" (1959) are especially collected and valued.

What is the typical format and weight of Horace Silver's vinyl albums?

Most of Silver's classic albums were released on 12-inch vinyl LPs, many in mono format with Blue Note label, some with reissues or stereo editions.

How does Horace Silver's piano style impact the vinyl listening experience?

His percussive and swinging piano playing is enhanced on vinyl, offering rich tonal warmth and dynamic range appreciated by audiophiles.

Where was Horace Silver born and where did he perform live recordings?

He was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA, and has live recordings such as "Silver In Seattle: Live At The Penthouse" from Seattle.

Is Horace Silver's music popular among jazz collectors internationally?

Yes, his albums are collected worldwide, with pressings available from the US, Canada, Netherlands, and more, reflecting strong international interest.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 05/07/2026