Al Grey

Al Grey
Al Grey, 1980s, photographed by William P. Gottlieb
Al Grey, 1980s, photographed by William P. Gottlieb
Background information
Born
Albert Thornton Grey

(1925-06-06)June 6, 1925
Aldie, Virginia, U.S.
DiedMarch 24, 2000(2000-03-24) (aged 74)
Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
GenreJazz
OccupationMusician
InstrumentTrombone
Years active1946–1990
Labels

Albert Thornton "Al" Grey (June 6, 1925 – March 24, 2000) was an American jazz trombonist who was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra. He was known for his plunger mute technique and wrote an instructional book in 1987 called Plunger Techniques.

Career

Al Grey was born in Aldie, Virginia, United States, and grew up in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He was introduced to the trombone at the age of four, playing in a band called the Goodwill Boys, which was led by his father. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy, where he continued to play the trombone. Soon after his discharge, he joined Benny Carter's band, then the bands of Jimmie Lunceford, Lucky Millinder, and Lionel Hampton. In the 1950s, he was a member in the big bands of Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie. He led bands in the 1960s with Billy Mitchell and Jimmy Forrest. Later in life, he recorded with Clark Terry and J. J. Johnson. He made thirty recordings under his own name and another seventy with bands.

Al Grey, the Last Great Big Time Plunger, charcoal illustration by Gwendolyn Lanier-Gardner, 2015

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. However, when playing with the plunger, 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.[citation needed]

He died in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of 74, after suffering from several ailments, including diabetes.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

As sideman

With Count Basie

With Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

With Ray Charles

With Dizzy Gillespie

With Lionel Hampton

With Jon Hendricks

With Quincy Jones

With Oscar Pettiford

With Clark Terry

With others

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Larkin, Colin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (1st ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 174. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Margolis, Bob (March 28, 2000). "Trombonist Al Grey dies at 74". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Yanow, Scott. "Al Grey Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 24, 2020.