I read somewhere that Gray was in fact NOT an addict, that he was a mentor to other musicians in this respect. I can't remember where I read this. That he was found dead with a broken neck suggests that, just possibly, his death took place at a party where drugs were used, and that he was dumped in an attempt to keep the police from discovering what had happened, and where. It really looks as if we'll never know; and films like yours are essential in keeping his name from oblivion. I think that, although he clearly derived from Lester Young, he was an original (as was Zoot Sims) who should be on everyone's list of great jazz players. Beautiful music.
It’s important to include that Gray wrote “Twisted” made famous by Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross and then Joni Mitchell. Gray’s piece is an instrumental but lyrics were added later. The tenor work on it is phenomenal!
Thanks for this...Please keep up this exceptional context...You had mentioned the Los Angeles Central Ave. sound...This led me to purchase box sets from Mercury, Flair, Okeh, Specialty Records, and many others close to 35 years ago...I think it's the greatest music I've ever heard!..It's Jazzy, Bluesy, Swings, Jumps, Struts, and has given me countless hours of musical contentment...Kudo's keep it up!
I read somewhere that Gray was in fact NOT an addict, that he was a mentor to other musicians in this respect. I can't remember where I read this. That he was found dead with a broken neck suggests that, just possibly, his death took place at a party where drugs were used, and that he was dumped in an attempt to keep the police from discovering what had happened, and where. It really looks as if we'll never know; and films like yours are essential in keeping his name from oblivion. I think that, although he clearly derived from Lester Young, he was an original (as was Zoot Sims) who should be on everyone's list of great jazz players. Beautiful music.
It’s important to include that Gray wrote “Twisted” made famous by Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross and then Joni Mitchell. Gray’s piece is an instrumental but lyrics were added later. The tenor work on it is phenomenal!
Thanks for this...Please keep up this exceptional context...You had mentioned the Los Angeles Central Ave. sound...This led me to purchase box sets from Mercury, Flair, Okeh, Specialty Records, and many others close to 35 years ago...I think it's the greatest music I've ever heard!..It's Jazzy, Bluesy, Swings, Jumps, Struts, and has given me countless hours of musical contentment...Kudo's keep it up!
On The Happy Bird, he plays as beautifully as Bird, maybe even outdoes him. One of the greatest live bebop recordings!
thx for posting. a great tenor player!!🙏
Thank you ❤
Good profile but with one flaw...
You mispronounce the last name of Dodo Marmarosa as if the last letter is an "o" and not an "a".
Would really like to know who's playing the beautifully, haunting piano piece in the background of this video.
And it's title.
The song is Signal by jimmy Raney. My father, vibes player Charlie shoemake is playing the piano.
@BigOnBebop Thank you so much for responding. Thanks for introducing this song to me. I love it !
They dumped his body? Good God! I had never heard that one.
@@JonFrumTheFirst That was Teddy Edward’s story. Explains how Wardell neck got broken.
Such a sad sad ending.☹️
Yes