Former Blue Note Records President Bruce Lundvall has passed away at the age of 79 after a bout with Parkinson’s disease.

Lundvall was known by all for his lifelong passion and dedication to Jazz since his days as an underage teenager taking in the music of jazz greats like Clifford Brown and Charlie Parker in West 52nd Street Clubs in New York City in the 1950s.

After a fruitful stint at Columbia Records spanning from 1960 to the early 1980s, where he signed legendary artists like Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, and Willie Nelson, Lundvall was approached by EMI in 1984 with the singular prospect of reviving then-dormant Blue Note Records.

Lundvall jumped at the chance, and alongside producer Michael Cuscuna worked to establish Blue Note as the most-respected and longest-running jazz label in the world.

During his 30 year tenure at Blue Note, Lundvall oversaw the signing and recording of numerous music giants, both contemporary and classic, including Jimmy Smith, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Robert Glasper, Norah Jones, Ambrose Akinmusire, Bobby McFerrin, and Al Green.

Over his 50 plus year career, Lundvall has won countless awards including the 2011 Grammy Trustees Award and the Jazz Foundation of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Bruce was a one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life human being,” said Don Was, current Blue Note President. “His Joie de Vivre was equaled only by his love for music, impeccable taste and kind heart.”

He is survived by his wife three sons.

In lieu of flowers his family asks that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.