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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Wardell Gray Selected Favorites
Jazz - Editado por Charly Records el 20 jun. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wardell Gray's Backbreaker
Jazz - Editado por Charly Records el 25 jun. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hot House (Original)
Jazz - Editado por A Riff Supreme el 9 oct. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bebop Live Concerts Vol. 11 (1950-51)
Jazz - Editado por Documents el 1 sep. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wardell Gray Vol. 4 (1951-52)
Jazz - Editado por Documents el 1 sep. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Classic Years, Vol. 2
Jazz - Editado por Sleeping Giant Music el 29 sep. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wardell Gray Vol. 3 (1950-51)
Jazz - Editado por Documents el 1 sep. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Easy Swing, Vol. 2
Be Bop - Editado por Top Tracks el 30 oct. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Easy Swing, Vol. 4
Be Bop - Editado por Top Tracks el 30 oct. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Easy Swing, Vol. 2
Be Bop - Editado por Top Tracks el 30 oct. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Easy Swing, Vol. 1
Be Bop - Editado por Top Tracks el 1 ene. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Easy Swing, Vol. 4
Be Bop - Editado por Supreme Media el 9 oct. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Get Happy, Vol. 2
Be Bop - Editado por Lumi Entertainment el 1 ene. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Easy Swing, Vol. 3
Be Bop - Editado por Top Tracks el 30 oct. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Easy Swing, Vol. 1
Be Bop - Editado por Supreme Media el 30 oct. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Easy Swing, Vol. 2
Be Bop - Editado por Supreme Media el 30 oct. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bright Boy
Jazz - Editado por Blooming Jazz Records el 5 abr. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Easy Swing
Jazz - Editado por Blooming Jazz Records el 5 abr. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Punkin'
Jazz - Editado por Blooming Jazz Records el 25 nov. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo