Jazz clarinet legend Buddy DeFranco dies at 91 in Florida

Jazz clarinet legend Buddy DeFranco has passed away at the age of 91 due to poor health in his recent years.

The American musician, known for working with Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday and other well-known musicians took his last breath at a Florida hospital, the BBC reported.

DeFranco's wife asserted that they have received condolences from around the world.

Leading jazz clarinettist Ken Peplowski said that DeFranco almost single-handedly was the clarinettist who moved the harmonic and rhythmic language forward from where Benny Goodman left off into the much more adventurous territory of bebop and beyond, while never forgetting his roots in swing music.

DeFranco, a member of the American Jazz Hall of Fame, performed at venues around the world for 75 years and also recorded many albums.

The musician is survived by his wife and son Chad DeFranco.