Al Haig, born Alan Warren Haig on July 19, 1922, in Newark, New Jersey, was an influential American jazz pianist renowned for his pioneering contributions to the bebop genre. Raised in Nutley, New Jersey, Haig majored in piano at Oberlin College in 1940. His career took off in the mid-1940s when he began performing with jazz luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Notably, he was part of the Gillespie quintet that recorded the first sessions demonstrating the mature bebop style in 1945.

Throughout the late 1940s and early 1950s, Haig worked with several key figures in jazz, including Eddie Davis, Fats Navarro, and Stan Getz. He was also a member of the nonet on the first session of Miles Davis' seminal "Birth of the Cool." Despite these significant contributions, Haig's career waned in the 1950s and 1960s, relegating him to playing semi-cocktail piano in New York bars as jazz tastes evolved.

Haig's personal life was marred by controversy when he was accused of murdering his third wife, Bonnie, in 1968. He was acquitted, but the incident cast a long shadow over his life, with later accounts suggesting a history of domestic abuse.

In the 1970s, Haig experienced a career revival, particularly in Europe, following a successful tour and recording sessions for Spotlite Records. He continued to record and perform until his death from a heart attack on November 16, 1982, in New York City. Despite periods of obscurity, Haig is remembered as a key figure in the development of bebop piano, known for his unique touch and innovative approach to jazz harmony.