The celebration of #GroverWashingtonJrMonth continues with this tribute to the saxman. Grover Washington band members, like bassist Gerald Veasley and keyboardist Bill Jolly, as well as Gerald Albright and Najee are on this Jazz Night in America program. Also, hear David Sanborn on Grover.
December is Grover Washington, Jr. Month
To me, December is always Grover Washington, Jr. month. He was born in December and passed away in December.
Grover is a contemporary jazz legend. He was a pioneer in the soul-jazz movement. I can hear his distinctive sound on any recording. There has been no one like him.
Let’s celebrate his legacy this month. Share your thoughts on Grover. Post a comment here about your favorite recordings, concert memories, etc. Or start this going on Twitter – #GroverWashingtonJrMonth. I’ll be sharing too through December 17, when he suddenly left us.
A saxophone lineup like no other
Seeing the gathering of living presidents at the George H.W. Bush funeral today made me think of the inauguration of Bill Clinton. That monster gathering of super-saxmen: Sanborn, Brecker, Mulligan, Washington, Jr., Albright, G, Whalum…
Remembering Grover
Every December, I remember Grover Washington, Jr., a contemporary jazz legend. He died nine years ago, on December 17. He had a distinctive sound and a number of hits that are still remembered and played to this day. He made a lasting impression on me when I saw him rock the house in St. Louis in 1993 (with then newbie Norman Brown opening). He had the crowd in a frenzy. He blew his ass off!
Here he is, in his prime, from a 1983 performance in Japan: