Jazz / Bop, Jazz Instrument, Trombone Jazz
Al Grey Trombone
Bobby Durham Drums
Gabriel Armstrong Trumpet
Hank O'Neal Producer
Joe Cohn Guitar
Jon Bates Digital Editing, Mastering, Engineer, Editing
Marcus Belgrave Trumpet
Mike Grey Trombone
Rickey Woodard Saxophone
Rollo Phlecks Design, Photography
Shelley Shier Producer
Shelly M. Shier Producer
Steve Novosel Bass
Al Grey
Active Decades: '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s
Born: Jun 06, 1925 in Aldie, VA
Died: Mar 24, 2000 in Phoenix, AZ
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Bop, Swing, Jazz Instrument, Trombone Jazz
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.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
