egroj world: Wardell Gray • One for Prez

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Wardell Gray • One for Prez

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 surgidos durante la era bop (junto con Dexter Gordon y Teddy Edwards). Su tono influenciado por Lester Young hizo que su interpretación fuera atractiva para los músicos de swing, así como para los modernistas más jóvenes. Creció en Detroit, tocando en bandas locales cuando era adolescente. Gray estuvo con Earl Hines durante 1943-1945, grabando con él (1945). Ese mismo año, se mudó a Los Ángeles y se convirtió en una parte importante de la escena de Central Avenue, teniendo batallas nocturnas de tenor con Dexter Gordon; su grabación de "The Chase" fue 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 vocalese memorable por Annie Ross unos años más tarde. De regreso en Nueva York, Gray tocó y grabó con Tadd Dameron y el septeto y big band de Count Basie (1950-1951); "Little Pony", su escaparate con la orquesta Basie, es un clásico. Gray apareció en algunas sesiones improvisadas de Norman Granz ("Apple Jam" tiene un solo particularmente acalorado) y grabó con Louie Bellson (1952-1953). Irónicamente, Wardell Gray, quien a fines de los 40 fue una inspiración para algunos músicos más jóvenes debido a su oposición al consumo de drogas, se involucró en las drogas y murió misteriosamente en Las Vegas el 25 de mayo de 1955, cuando tenía solo 34 años.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/wardell-gray-mn0000235881#biography

Tracks:
1 - Dell's Bells (162-5)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 2:56
2 - One For Prez (163-5)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 3:12
3 - The Man I Love (164-3)
Written-By – George Gershwin 3:04
4 - Easy Swing (165-2)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 3:00
5 - The Great Lie (166-1)
Written-By – Andy Gibson, Cab Calloway 4:45
6 - Dell's Bells (162-4)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 3:00
7 - One For Prez (163-4)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 3:14
8 - The Man I Love (164-2)
Written-By – George Gershwin 3:23
9 - Easy Swing (165-1)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 3:06
10 - Dell's Bells (162-1)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 3:09
11 - Dell's Bells (162-2) Incomplete
Written-By – Wardell Gray 1:38
12 - Dell's Bells (162-3)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 3:06
13 - The Man I Love (164-1)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 3:34
14 - One For Prez (163-1)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 3:05
15 - One For Prez (163-2)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 2:54
16 - One For Prez (163-3)
Written-By – Wardell Gray 2:45

Credits:
    Bass – Red Callender
    Design [Sleeve] – Malcolm Walker
    Drums – Chuck Thompson (tracks: 6), Harold "Doc" West (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 16)
    Liner Notes – Alun Morgan
    Photography By [Sleeve] – Ray Avery
    Piano – Dodo Marmarosa
    Producer – Alan Bates
    Supervised By – Eddie Laguna
    Tenor Saxophone – Wardell Gray

Tracks 1 to 5 released on Jazz Selection/Vogue 78's
Tracks 6 to 9 released on Fontana LP FJL 907
Tracks 10 to 16 previously unreleased.

Recorded in Hollywood, California, 23rd November 1946.

Label:    Black Lion Records – BLCD760106
Country:    Germany
Released:    1988
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Bop
https://www.discogs.com/release/4874223-Wardell-Gray-One-For-Prez