Wardell Gray • Light Gray

 

Biography by Scott Yanow
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.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/wardell-gray-mn0000235881#biography

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Biografía de Scott Yanow
Wardell Gray fue uno de los mejores tenores que surgieron durante la era del bop (junto con Dexter Gordon y Teddy Edwards). Su tono, influenciado por Lester Young, hizo que su forma de tocar resultara atractiva tanto para los músicos de swing como para los jóvenes modernistas. Creció en Detroit y tocó en bandas locales durante su adolescencia. Gray estuvo con Earl Hines durante 1943-1945, grabando con él (1945). Ese mismo año se trasladó a Los Ángeles y se convirtió en una parte importante de la escena de Central Avenue, manteniendo batallas nocturnas de tenor con Dexter Gordon; su grabación de "The Chase" fue muy popular. Gray grabó con Charlie Parker en 1947 y, sin embargo, su estilo atrajo a Benny Goodman, con quien tocó al año siguiente. Entre sus propias sesiones, sus solos en "Twisted" (1949) y "Farmer's Market" (1952) fueron convertidos en vocales memorables por Annie Ross unos años más tarde. De vuelta a Nueva York, Gray tocó y grabó con Tadd Dameron y el septeto y la big band de Count Basie (1950-1951); "Little Pony", su presentación con la orquesta de Basie, es un clásico. Gray participó en algunas jam sessions de Norman Granz ("Apple Jam" tiene un solo especialmente acalorado) y grabó con Louie Bellson (1952-1953). Irónicamente, Wardell Gray, que a finales de los años 40 sirvió de inspiración a algunos músicos más jóvenes por su oposición al consumo de drogas, se metió él mismo en las drogas y murió misteriosamente en Las Vegas el 25 de mayo de 1955, cuando sólo tenía 34 años.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/wardell-gray-mn0000235881#biography

Tracks:
1 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Light Gray
Written-By – W.Gray - 2:35

2 - Wardell Gray Quartet - The Toup
Written-By – W.Gray - 2:36
3 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Stoned
Written-By – W.Gray - 2:54
4 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Stoned
Written-By – W.Gray - 2:47
5 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Matter And Mind
Written-By – W.Gray - 2:44
6 - J.C. Heard And His Orchestra - This Is It
Written-By – J.C.Heard - 3:08
7 - J.C. Heard And His Orchestra - Ollopa
Written-By – J.C.Heard - 2:50
8 - J.C. Heard And His Orchestra - Sugar Hips
Written-By – J.C.Heard - 2:52
9 - J.C. Heard And His Orchestra - Coasting With J.C.
Written-By – J.C.Heard - 2:58
10 - Buddy Stewart Quintet - Shawn
Written-By – B. Stewart - 2:34
11 - Al Haig Quintet - Five Star
Written-By – J.Raney - 2:50
12 - Al Haig Quintet - Sugar Hill Bop
Written-By – L.Wexler - 2:29
13 - Al Haig Quintet - It's The Talk Of The Town
Written-By – Neiburg*, Levinson*, Symes - 3:06
14 - Al Haig Quintet - In A Pinch
Written-By – A.Haig - 3:04
15 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Twisted
Written-By – W.Gray - 3:04
16 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Twisted
Written-By – W.Gray - 3:28
17 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Easy Living
Written-By – Robin*, Rainger - 4:37
18 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Southside
Written-By – W.Gray - 3:20
19 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Southside
Written-By – W.Gray - 2:52
20 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Sweet Lorraine
Written-By – Burwell*, Parish - 4:05
21 - Wardell Gray Quartet - A Sinner Kissed An Angel
Written-By – David*, Joseph - 3:07
22 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Blue Gray
Written-By – W.Gray - 2:43
23 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Grayhound
Written-By – W.Gray - 3:01
24 - Wardell Gray Quartet - Treadin' With Treadwell
Written-By – W.Gray - 3:45


Credits:
    Baritone Saxophone – Tate Houston (tracks: 6 to 9)
    Bass – Al McKibbon (tracks: 6 to 9), Clyde Lombardi (tracks: 1 to 5, 10), John Richardson* (tracks: 21 to 24), Tommy Potter (tracks: 11 to 20)
    Drums – Art Mardigan (tracks: 21 to 24), Charlie Perry (tracks: 11 to 14), J.C. Heard (tracks: 6 to 9), Roy Haynes (tracks: 15 to 20), Sonny Igoe (tracks: 10), Tiny Kahn (tracks: 1 to 5)
    Guitar – Jimmy Raney (tracks: 11 to 14)
    Liner Notes – Mike Baillie (2)
    Piano – Al Haig (tracks: 1 to 9, 11 to 20), Buddy Greco (tracks: 10), Phil Hill (tracks: 21 to 24)
    Tenor Saxophone – Wardell Gray
    Trombone – Bennie Green (tracks: 6 to 9), Eddie Bert (tracks: 10)
    Trumpet – Joe Newman (tracks: 6 to 9)
    Vocals – Buddy Stewart (tracks: 10), Terry Swope (tracks: 11, 12)

CD has it:
N.Y.C. in 1948 (from Sittin’ In With Records) (tracks 1 to 5).
N.Y.C. in 1948 (from Apollo Records) (tracks 6 to 9).
N.Y.C. on November 12, 1948 (from Sittin’ In With Records) (track 10).
N.Y.C. in 1949 (from Seeco Records) (tracks 11 to 14).
N.Y.C. on November 11, 1949 (from New Jazz and Prestige) (tracks 15 to 20).
Detroit on April 25, 1950 (from New Jazz and Prestige) (tracks 21 to 24).

Online discography at wardellgray.org has it:
New York, NY in April 1948 (recording session for Sittin’ In With Records) (tracks 1 to 5).
New York, NY in May 1948 (recording session for Apollo) (tracks 6 to 9).
New York, NY on November 12, 1948 (recording session for Sittin’ In With Records) (track 10).
New York, NY in poss. November 1948 (recording session for Seeco) (tracks 11 to 14).
New York, NY on November 11, 1949 (recording session for Prestige) (tracks 15 to 20).
United Sound Studios, Detroit, MI on April 25, 1950 (recording session for Prestige) (tracks 21 to 24).

From online discography at wardellgray.org:
Terry Swope has vocals on tracks 11, 12 (CD says tracks 11 to 14).
Track 24 is Treadin' With Treadwell (CD lists it as Treadin').

Total time: 74:01

Label:    Cool & Blue Records – C&B-CD116
Country:    Switzerland
Released:    1994
Genre:    Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/11629626-Wardell-Gray-Light-Gray-1948-1950

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