Ray Brown
The huge and comfortable sound of Ray Brown's bass was a welcome feature on bop-oriented sessions for over a half-century. He played locally in his native Pittsburgh in his early days.
Arriving in New York in 1945, on his first day in town Brown met and played with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Bud Powell. He was hired by Gillespie for his small groups and his big band; "One Bass Hit" and "Two Bass Hit" were early features, and he can be seen with Dizzy Gillespie in the 1947 film Jiving in Bebop. Although not a soloist on the level of an Oscar Pettiford, Brown's quick reflexes and ability to accompany soloists in a swinging fashion put him near the top of his field. After playing with Jazz at the Philharmonic, he married Ella Fitzgerald (their marriage only lasted during 1948-1952), and for a time led his own trio to back the singer. Brown recorded with an early version of the Modern Jazz Quartet (under Milt Jackson's leadership), and then became a permanent member of the Oscar Peterson Trio (1951-1966).
With Peterson, the bassist traveled the world, guested with other top jazz artists, was featured on JATP tours, became famous, and recorded constantly. He began playing cello in the late '50s, and used it on a few of his own dates. After leaving Peterson, Brown settled in Los Angeles, worked in the studios, continued recording jazz, and worked as a manager of several artists (including the Modern Jazz Quartet and Quincy Jones). He played with the L.A. Four starting in 1974, did a great deal to revive the careers of Ernestine Anderson and Gene Harris, and recorded extensively for Pablo and Concord. The Ray Brown Trio featured pianists Gene Harris, Benny Green, and Geoff Keezer, along with drummers Jeff Hamilton and Greg Hutchison, and recorded for Concord and Telarc. He continued touring up until his death, dying in his sleep while napping before a show in Indianapolis on July 2, 2002. His last batch of sessions, working as a trio with pianist Monty Alexander and guitarist Russell Malone, were released that fall.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
Similar artists
-
Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, JATP Lausanne 1953 / Swiss Radio Days, Jazz Series Vol.15
Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, Barney Kessel, Ray Brown, J.C. Heard
Jazz - Released by TCB - The Montreux Jazz Label™ on 1 Jan 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Side Story (A Timeless Jazz Recordings)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Side Story on 15 Oct 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Big 3
Milt Jackson, Joe Pass, Ray Brown
Jazz - Released by Pablo on 1 Jan 1975
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Massimo Faraò, Ray Brown & Bobby Durham, Vol. 1
Massimo Faraò, Ray Brown, Bobby Durham
Jazz - Released by RACING JAZZ on 1 Aug 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Poll Winners Three!
Barney Kessel, Shelly Manne, Ray Brown
Jazz - Released by Contemporary Records on 1 Nov 1959
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Moonlight Serenade
Jazz - Released by Bell Records on 1 Jan 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Poll Winners
Barney Kessel, Shelly Manne, Ray Brown
Jazz - Released by contemporary on 1 Jan 1957
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Poll Winners: Straight Ahead
Barney Kessel, Ray Brown, Shelly Manne
Jazz - Released by Concord Records on 12 Jul 1975
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ray Brown: The Best Of the Concord Years
Jazz - Released by Concord Records on 1 Jan 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Something For Lester
Jazz - Released by Contemporary Records on 22 Jun 1977
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Some Of My Best Friends Are… The Piano Players
Jazz - Released by Telarc on 28 Feb 1995
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Ellington Album "All Too Soon" (Instrumental)
Milt Jackson, Ray Brown, Mickey Roker, Joe Pass
Jazz - Released by Concord Records on 1 Jan 1980
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Tasty (Reissue 1995)
Jazz - Released by Concord Jazz on 1 Jan 1980
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
This One's For Blanton
Jazz - Released by Concord Records on 1 Jan 1970
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Simply ... Peterson! (2019 Remaster)
Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Mayor Holley, Ray Brown, Ed Thipgen, Alvin Stoller
Jazz - Released by Jube Legends on 3 Jan 2020
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Dizzy's Big 4 (Instrumental)
Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Brown, Joe Pass, Mickey Roker
Jazz - Released by Concord Records on 1 Jan 1975
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Old Friends (Live At SummerFest, La Jolla, CA / August 24, 1991)
André Previn, Mundell Lowe, Ray Brown
Jazz - Released by Telarc on 24 Aug 1991
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Montreux '77 (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Original Jazz Classics on 13 Jul 1977
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo