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Les McCann, a prolific and influential musician and recording artist who helped found the soul-jazz genre and became a favorite source for sampling by Dr. Dre, A Tribe Called Quest and hundreds of other hip-hop performers, has died. He was 88. McCann died Friday in Los Angeles a week after being hospitalized with pneumonia, according…

He was best known for “Compared to What,” a funky protest song on which he first teamed up with his future musical partner, saxophonist Eddie Harris.

Jazz music legend Les McCann, who was sampled by hundreds of hip-hop stars including Notorious B.I.G. and Dr Dre, dies at 88

Jazz pioneer Les McCann, who was sampled by Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre and Warren G., has died aged 88.

The artist was hospitalized in Los Angeles prior to his passing.