Wardell Gray
Wardell Gray was one of the top tenors to emerge during the bop era (along with Dexter Gordon and Teddy Edwards). His Lester Young-influenced tone made his playing attractive to swing musicians as well as younger modernists. He grew up in Detroit, playing in local bands as a teenager. Gray was with Earl Hines during 1943-1945, recording with him (1945). That same year, he moved to Los Angeles and he became a major part of the Central Avenue scene, having nightly tenor battles with Dexter Gordon; their recording of "The Chase" was popular. Gray recorded with Charlie Parker in 1947 and yet his style appealed to Benny Goodman, with whom he played the following year. Among his own sessions, his solos on "Twisted" (1949) and "Farmer's Market" (1952) were turned into memorable vocalese by Annie Ross a few years later. Back in New York, Gray played and recorded with Tadd Dameron and the Count Basie septet and big band (1950-1951); "Little Pony," his showcase with the Basie orchestra, is a classic. Gray was featured on some Norman Granz jam sessions ("Apple Jam" has a particularly heated solo) and recorded with Louie Bellson (1952-1953). Ironically, Wardell Gray, who in the late '40s was an inspiration to some younger musicians due to his opposition to drug use, himself became involved in drugs and died mysteriously in Las Vegas on May 25, 1955, when he was just 34.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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Easy Swing, Vol. 1
Jazz - Erschienen bei Diamond Days am 05.05.2008
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Easy Swing
Jazz - Erschienen bei Marylebone Records am 19.08.2013
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Tenor Jazz Sax Masters
Jazz - Erschienen bei Nostalgia Gold Records am 29.04.2016
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Get Happy, Vol. 1
Bebop - Erschienen bei Lumi Entertainment am 01.01.2013
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Wardell Gray's Bamby
Jazz - Erschienen bei Charly Records am 25.06.2006
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Wardell Gray's Blue Lou
Jazz - Erschienen bei Charly Records am 25.06.2006
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Wardell Gray's Jackie
Jazz - Erschienen bei Charly Records am 25.06.2006
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Wardell Gray Selected Favorites
Jazz - Erschienen bei Charly Records am 20.06.2006
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Bebop Story, Vol. 40
Dexter Gordon, Dexter Gordon Quintet, Dexter Gordon Quartet, Wardell Gray
Bebop - Erschienen bei Documents am 09.01.2008
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The Chase and the Steeplechase (Hd Remastered)
Jazzgesang - Erschienen bei Reborn recordings am 28.06.2019
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Bebop Story, Vol 4, 1951-52 (Hq remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Vintage Recordings am 10.08.2022
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Benny Goodman, Vol. 22 (Stan Hasselgard & Wardell Gray with Benny Goodman)
Benny Goodman, Stan Hasselgard, Wardell Gray
Jazz - Erschienen bei SINETONE AMR am 24.12.2012
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Bebop Story, Vol 2, 1948-49 (Hq remastered 2023)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Vintage Recordings am 24.02.2023
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Way out Wardell (Hq Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Vintage Recordings am 28.05.2021
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Way out Wardell (Hd Remastered)
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Los Angeles All Stars (Hd Remastered)
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Bebop Story, Vol. 5, 1952-55 (Hq Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Vintage Recordings am 02.06.2021
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The Chase and the Steeplechase
Lounge - Erschienen bei Ancien Prodige am 21.05.2021
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Bebop Story, Vol 1 - 1945-46 (Hq remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Vintage Recordings am 10.08.2022
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Bebop Story, Vol 3, 1950-51 (Hq remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Vintage Recordings am 19.08.2022
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