Jazz musician George Barrow has died at the age of 91.

The star passed away at his New York home on Wednesday (20Mar13).

Born in the Big Apple, Barrow began a brief career in boxing, training with the renowned Cus D'Amato, before deciding to follow his passion for music.

Self-taught in playing the saxophone, the clarinet and flute, he landed work alongside jazz greats Charles Mingus and Max Roach as part of the Charles Mingus Quintet in the mid-1950s.

He also performed with Oliver Nelson, Freddie Hubbard and Roy Haynes, recorded with French horn player David Amram, and became a regular member of the orchestra at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater.

Barrow also worked on the score of Warren Beatty film Splendor in the Grass in 1961 and moved into theatre, performing in Broadway plays 42nd Street, Ain't Misbehavin' and Jelly's Last Jam.