AUSTIN, Texas — Revered Austin jazz musician Dr. James Polk has died at the age of 83,
The Austin Jazz Society confirmed Polk's death in a post on its website on Friday. Throughout his decades-long career, Polk performed with numerous jazz and blues ensembles, including a stint performing as a member of worldwide jazz titan Ray Charles' band.
Polk taught music at Texas State University from 1990 until 1996 and was one of the founders of the Austin Jazz Society. He was inducted into the society's Hall of Fame in 2016.
Staff with the Austin Jazz Society remarked on Polk Friday evening, calling him a "great musician and a great human being whose legacy will live on through musicians of all ages who he taught and performed with."