A prominent hard bop pianist, known for his brand of "funky jazz"; co-founder of the jazz messengers:

I believe the correct answer is Horace Silver.

Horace Silver was a prominent hard bop pianist, known for his brand of "funky jazz". He was a cofounder of Jazz Messengers alongside the drummer Art Blakey. Horace Silver had a unique style of playing; he had the stronger connection to the blues than did most other jazz pianists at that time, which is why his brand got named "funky jazz".