Benny Bailey
It is a bit ironic that Benny Bailey is best known for his contributions to the famous Eddie Harris/Les McCann Swiss Movement album, since he admitted later on that he did not care for the funky music. An extroverted and highly expressive player who mostly appeared in boppish settings, Bailey's longtime residence in Europe resulted in him gaining less fame (although probably more work) than if he had spent more time in the U.S.
Bailey had some training on piano and flute early in his career, switched permanently to trumpet, and studied at the Cleveland Conservatory of Music. In the early 1940s, he played with groups led by Bull Moose Jackson and Scatman Crothers. After gigging with Jay McShann, he was with Dizzy Gillespie's big band from 1947-1948, and then became a key member of the Lionel Hampton Orchestra (1948-1953). The trumpeter left Hampton during a European tour, settling overseas. He spent a long period in Sweden, working with Harry Arnold's big band (1957-1959), recording with Stan Getz and touring with Quincy Jones (1959). A brief visit to the United States in 1960 (during which he recorded a near-classic album for Candid, Big Brass) was followed by his relocation to Germany. Bailey worked steadily, recording with Eric Dolphy in 1961, being featured with the Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band, touring with George Gruntz's Concert Jazz band, and in 1986 he became a member of the Paris Reunion Band. In addition to the Candid date, Bailey led sessions for many European labels, including Sonet, Metronome, Saba, Freedom, Enja, Ego, Hot House, and Gemini, plus an American set in 1978 for Jazzcraft. But it is his explosive solos on "Cold Duck Time" and "Compared to What" from the Harris/McCann concert (now also available on video) that made him most famous. Bailey recorded a well-received tribute to Louis Armstrong titled The Satchmo Legacy in 2000 and maintained an active touring schedule. The veteran trumpeter passed away April 15, 2005 at his home in Amsterdam.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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Discography
21 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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In Sweden: 1957 - 1959 Sessions
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on 11 nov. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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I Remember Love
Benny Bailey, Kirt Lightsel, Petrasek Epoque String Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Laika Records on 6 jun. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Satchmo Legacy
Jazz - Released by ENJA RECORDS Matthias Winckelmann on 1 jan. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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For Heaven's Sake
Moderne jazz - Released by Hot House on 29 dec. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Essential Jazz Masters (1957-1959)
Jazz - Released by Master Classics Records on 1 mrt. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Big Brass & Rights of Swing
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on 17 jul. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Rainbow People
Jazz - Released by SteepleChase on 11 jun. 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazzcraft Studio Recordings 1978-79
Howard McGhee, Teddy Edwards, Benny Bailey
Free jazz & Avant-garde jazz - Released by Storyville Records on 30 mei 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Jazznost
Czech-Norwegian Band, Benny Bailey
Jazz - Released by Hot Club Records on 23 jan. 1990
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Land of Dolls
Jazz - Released by Kick(OBH Musikverlag) on 21 feb. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazznost
Czech-Norwegian Band, Benny Bailey
Jazz - Released by Ponca Jazz Records on 23 jan. 1990
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Bag is Packed
Jazz - Released by Timeless Records on 28 jan. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo