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 Classic Collection, Vol. 5
Jazz - Erschienen bei Diamond Days am 18.07.2013
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Wardell Gray Classic Collection, Vol. 4
Jazz - Erschienen bei Diamond Days am 05.05.2008
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Wardell Gray Classic Collection, Vol. 3
Jazz - Erschienen bei Diamond Days am 05.05.2008
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Wardell Gray Classic Collection, Vol. 2
Jazz - Erschienen bei Diamond Days am 05.05.2008
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April Skies
Jazz - Erschienen bei Marylebone Records am 19.08.2013
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Easy Living
Jazz - Erschienen bei Marylebone Records am 19.08.2013
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Matter and Mind
Jazz - Erschienen bei Marylebone Records am 19.08.2013
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Jazz Foundations, Vol. 73 (Wardell Gray)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Werner Last's Favourites Jazz am 01.01.2008
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Wardell Gray Selected Favorites
Jazz - Erschienen bei Charly Records am 20.06.2006
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Wardell Gray's Backbreaker
Jazz - Erschienen bei Charly Records am 25.06.2006
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Hot House (Original)
Jazz - Erschienen bei A Riff Supreme am 09.10.2006
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Bebop Live Concerts Vol. 11 (1950-51)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Documents am 01.09.2008
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Wardell Gray Vol. 4 (1951-52)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Documents am 01.09.2008
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The Classic Years, Vol. 2
Jazz - Erschienen bei Sleeping Giant Music am 29.09.2014
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Wardell Gray Vol. 3 (1950-51)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Documents am 01.09.2008
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Easy Swing, Vol. 2
Bebop - Erschienen bei Top Tracks am 30.10.2013
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Easy Swing, Vol. 4
Bebop - Erschienen bei Top Tracks am 30.10.2013
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Easy Swing, Vol. 2
Bebop - Erschienen bei Top Tracks am 30.10.2013
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Easy Swing, Vol. 1
Bebop - Erschienen bei Top Tracks am 01.01.2013
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Get Happy, Vol. 2
Bebop - Erschienen bei Lumi Entertainment am 01.01.2013
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