Denzil DaCosta Best, born on April 27, 1917, in New York City, was a notable American jazz percussionist and composer known for his work in the bebop genre. Coming from a musical Caribbean family originally from Barbados, Best initially trained on piano, trumpet, and bass before focusing on drums in 1943. He quickly established himself in the jazz scene, performing with prominent musicians such as Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, and Illinois Jacquet. Best was a regular at Minton's Playhouse, a hub for bebop musicians.

In 1948, he joined the George Shearing Quartet as a founding member and remained with the group until 1952. His career was temporarily halted in 1953 due to a car accident that resulted in fractured legs, but he resumed playing in 1954 with Artie Shaw and later with Erroll Garner, contributing to Garner's renowned live album "Concert by the Sea."

Best's compositions, including "Move," "Wee," and "Bemsha Swing" (co-written with Thelonious Monk), became jazz standards. His style, characterized by a legato approach and exceptional brushwork, influenced the cool jazz movement and numerous musicians. Despite suffering from paralysis in the early 1960s, which ended his playing career, Best's legacy continued to inspire jazz drummers and composers. He passed away at the age of 48 on May 24, 1965, after a fall in a New York City Subway station.