Jazz artist described by Vanity Fair as "arrestingly innovative" and one of the most unique talents of his time.
He was awarded seven composition residencies at the MacDowell Colony.
He began serving as a spokesman and fundraiser in 1993 for various AIDS services and education agencies.
His family became aware of his musicality when he started learning the piano at four and composing music by age eight.
His fellow musician Jason Moran said of him, "Fred at the piano is like LeBron James on the basketball court," adding that he was perfection on the keyboard.
