- Wardell Gray Memorial, Vol. 1 · 1953
- On Dial - The Complete Sessions · 1947
- Wardell Gray Plays Bebop & Swing · 1983
- Wardell Gray Plays Bebop & Swing · 1983
- Wardell Gray Plays Bebop & Swing · 1983
- Four Classic Albums Plus - Just Jazz All Stars / Concerto for Drums / At the Flamingo / The Hawk Talks (Remastered) · 2012
- Wardell Gray Memorial, Vol. 1 · 1953
- Complete Jazz Series 1946 - 1950 · 2000
- Jazz Café - 1920's, 30's, 40's Vintage Blends · 2002
- Five Star · 2012
- One for Prez · 1988
- Four Classic Albums Plus - Just Jazz All Stars / Concerto for Drums / At the Flamingo / The Hawk Talks (Remastered) · 2012
- Five Star · 1999
- 2014
- 2014
- 2013
- 2013
- 2013
- 2013
- 2013
Singles & EPs
Live Albums
- 2012
- 2012
- 2011
- 2009
Appears On
About Wardell Gray
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. ~ Scott Yanow
- HOMETOWN
- Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- BORN
- 13 February 1921
- GENRE
- Jazz