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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The Chase and the Steeplechase (Hd Remastered)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 28 Jun 2019
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Bebop Story, Vol 4, 1951-52 (Hq remastered)
Jazz - Released by Vintage Recordings on 10 Aug 2022
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Benny Goodman, Vol. 22 (Stan Hasselgard & Wardell Gray with Benny Goodman)
Benny Goodman, Stan Hasselgard, Wardell Gray
Jazz - Released by SINETONE AMR on 24 Dec 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bebop Story, Vol 2, 1948-49 (Hq remastered 2023)
Jazz - Released by Vintage Recordings on 24 Feb 2023
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Way out Wardell (Hq Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Vintage Recordings on 28 May 2021
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Way out Wardell (Hd Remastered)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 29 May 2019
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Los Angeles All Stars (Hd Remastered)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 28 Jun 2019
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Bebop Story, Vol. 5, 1952-55 (Hq Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Vintage Recordings on 2 Jun 2021
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Chase and the Steeplechase
Lounge - Released by Ancien Prodige on 21 May 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Bebop Story, Vol 1 - 1945-46 (Hq remastered)
Jazz - Released by Vintage Recordings on 10 Aug 2022
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Bebop Story, Vol 3, 1950-51 (Hq remastered)
Jazz - Released by Vintage Recordings on 19 Aug 2022
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Master Swingers! (Hq remastered)
Jazz - Released by Vintage Recordings on 14 May 2022
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Milestones of Jazz Saxophone Legends: Very Saxy, Vol. 10
Jazz - Released by Intense Media GmbH on 4 Jan 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Treadin' With Treadwell
Jazz - Released by Black Barn Music on 7 Aug 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo