AboutFor some twenty-five years, Grover Washington, Jr., who died in December 1999, was among the most beloved instrumentalists in popular music. He maintained the middle ground between jazz and rhythm-and-blues with great style and grace. Ever since Washington stepped into the national spotlight in 1971 with his reading of Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues, the saxophonist was in the vanguard of popular sound. He joined Sony Classical with a collection of opera arias (SK 61864), which was recorded in May 1999 and released in early 2000. ''I don’t think in terms of categories", said Washington. "My main motive is to move on. My job is to explore and express music of the heart. I want to venture forward. I want to stay in the mood of my moment." Washington made his reputation with a series of recordings made in the 70s. He began to play sessions with the likes of Bob James, Randy Weston, Eric Gale and Dave Grusin, and in 1980 his album The Winelight won two GRAMMY Awards, vaulting him to the forefront of jazz fusion. In the early 80s, Washington played a major role in establishing the Philadelphia group Pieces of a Dream, producing three albums with them. Throughout the decade he continued to put out solo albums that, along with his work as composer and producer, reinforced his position as a key player in modern jazz. Washington also gave a number of special live performances: he played the national anthem at a Philadelphia 76ers’ game (he had a lifelong passion for basketball), performed at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia for July 4th (with one million listeners in attendance) and played at the Blue Note jazz club in New York (in sold-out rooms). He also played at the White House for President Clinton’s Inauguration and for the President’s 50th birthday celebration at Radio City Music Hall. Washington's love of music began as a child growing up in Buffalo, New York. His mother, a church chorister, and father, a collector of jazz 78s and an amateur C-melody saxophonist, bought him a saxophone at age ten. "After I started playing", Grover said, "I’d sneak into clubs to watch guys like Jack McDuff, Harold Vick and Charles Lloyd. My professional life began at age twelve. I played a lot of R&B, blues, and what we used to call 'gut-bucker'." Grover left Buffalo to play in the Midwest with a group called the Four Clefs. Soon afterward, he was drafted into the Army, where he met Drummer Billy Cobham, who introduced him to several prominent New York musicians. The saxophonist soon began freelancing in New York and Philadelphia.
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Grover Washington, Jr.
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Grover Washington, Jr. Newsletter |
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Grover Washington, Jr. Discography (7titles)
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