Al Grey

Al Grey
Al Grey, 1980s
(photographed by William P. Gottlieb)
Background information
Born (1925-06-06)June 6, 1925
Aldie, Virginia
Died March 24, 2000(2000-03-24) (aged 74)
Genres Orchestral jazz, swing, big band
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Trombone
Years active 1946–1990
Associated acts Benny Carter, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Charlie Burrell

Al Grey (June 6, 1925 – March 24, 2000) was a jazz trombonist who is most remembered for his association with the Count Basie orchestra.

Grey is known for his plunger mute technique (comparable to Tricky Sam Nanton, Bob Hunt and Wycliffe Gordon), and also wrote an instructional book called Plunger Techniques.

As states Scott Yanow in his artist biography on Allmusic,[1] Al Grey's trademark phrases and often humorous use of the plunger mute long made him quite distinctive. After getting out of the service, he was with the orchestras of Benny Carter (1945-1946), Jimmie Lunceford (1946-1947), Lucky Millinder, and Lionel Hampton (off and on during 1948-1953). Grey was a well-featured soloist with the classic Dizzy Gillespie globetrotting orchestra during 1956-1957 (taking an exciting solo at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival on a blazing version of "Cool Breeze"). He was with Count Basie's orchestra on three separate occasions (1957-1961, 1964-1966, and 1971-1977), led a band with Billy Mitchell in the early '60s, and had a group with Jimmy Forrest after leaving Basie in 1977. In later years, Grey performed and recorded often with Clark Terry, made a CD with the Statesmen of Jazz, and for a time led a quintet that featured his son Mike Grey on second trombone. Al Grey recorded as a leader for Argo (1959-1964), Tangerine, Black & Blue, Stash, Chiaroscuro, and Capri, and co-led an excellent Pablo date in 1983 with J.J. Johnson. He died of complications from diabetes on March 24, 2000.

Music career

Al Grey was born in Aldie, Virginia and grew up in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. During World War II he served in the Navy where he started playing the trombone. Soon after his discharge, he joined Benny Carter's band and later the trombone section of Lionel Hampton.

After some solo work Grey joined Dizzy Gillespie's big band in 1956.[2] In October 1957, Count Basie needed a fill-in for his European tour and hired Grey. After 1961, Grey performed only occasionally with Basie. He is featured on Count Basie recordings with Ella Fitzgerald or Frank Sinatra and recorded "Snap your Fingers".

Apart from leading his own combos, he appeared with many jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones and even Ray Charles. His trombone skills were also featured on the soundtrack for The Color Purple.

Style

Al Grey's early trombone style was inspired by Trummy Young. He developed a wild, strong and full sound. Solos often consisted of short, pronounced phrases with precisely timed syncopation. When playing with the plunger, however, he would produce the most mellow fill-ins and shape melodic answers to the lead voice. This aspect of his playing can be heard to great effect in response to Bing Crosby's vocals on the 1972 album, Bing 'n' Basie ("Gonna Build a Mountain" and "Put Your Hand in the Hand").

Discography

Al Grey, the last great big time plunger by Gwendolyn Lanier-Gardner, 2015

As leader/co-leader

As sideman

With Count Basie

With Ray Bryant

With Arnett Cobb

With Dizzy Gillespie

With John Hicks

With Johnny Hodges

With Quincy Jones

with Melba Liston

With Joe Newman

With Oscar Pettiford

With Pony Poindexter

With Paul Quinichette

With Randy Weston

References

  1. ↑ "Al Grey | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-01-14.
  2. ↑ "Swing Music History", last accessed Jan 12, 2010

Al Grey discography:

Al Grey with Harry 'Sweets' Edison & Junior Mance. Centerpiece: Live at the Blue Note (Telarc 20 CD-83379) Recorded at the Blue Note, New York, March 23-26, 1995.

Media related to Al Grey at Wikimedia Commons

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