Grover Washington Jr.

Grover Washington Jr. (December 12, 1943 – December 16, 1999)allmusic Biography was an American jazz-funk / soul-jazz saxophonist. Along with George Benson, John Klemmer, David Sanborn, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Herb Alpert, and Spyro Gyra, he is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Washington made some of the genre's most memorable hits, including "Mr. Magic", "Black Frost", and "The Best is Yet to Come". In addition, he performed very frequently with other artists, including Bill Withers on "Just the Two of Us" (still in regular rotation on radio today) and Phyllis Hyman on "A Sacred Kind of Love". He is also remembered for his take on a Dave Brubeck classic, called "Take Five", and for his hit "Soulful Strut".

Washington played on black nickel-plated saxophones made by Keilwerth. These included a SX90R alto, SX90R tenor, and soprano.

Biography

Early life

Washington was born in Buffalo, New York on December 12, 1943. His mother was a church chorister, and his father was a collector of old Jazz gramophone records and a saxophonist as well, so music was everywhere in the home. He grew up with the great jazzmen and big band leaders like Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson, and others like them. At the age of 8, with the desire for him to be more than he could be, Grover Sr

. gave Jr. a saxophone. He practiced and would sneak into clubs to see famous Buffalo blues musicians.

Early career

Washington left Buffalo and played with a midwest group called the Four Clefs. He was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly thereafter, but this was to be to his advantage, as he met drummer Billy Cobham. Cobham, a mainstay in New York City, introduced Washington to many New York musicians. After leaving the Army, Washington freelanced his talents around New York City, eventually landing in Philadelphia in 1967. In 1970 and 1971, he appeared on Leon Spencer's first two albums on Prestige Records, together with Idris Muhammad and Melvin Sparks.

Washington's big break came at the expense of another artist. Alto sax man Hank Crawford was unable to make a recording date with Creed Taylor's Kudu Records, and Washington took his place, even though he was a backup. This led to his first solo album, Inner City Blues. He was talented, and displayed heart and soul with soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. Refreshing for his time, he made headway into the jazz mainstream.

Fame

His fifth album, 1974's Mister Magic, was a commercial success, and introduced guitarist Eric Gale as a near-permanent member in Washington's arsenal.

A string of acclaimed records brought Washington through the 1970s, which culminated in the signature piece for everything Washington would do from then on. The 1980s Winelight was the album that defined everything Washington was about. The album was smooth, fused with R&B and easy listening feel. Washington's love of basketball, especially the Philadelphia 76ers, led him to dedicate his first track, "Let It Flow" to Julius Erving (Dr. J). The highlight of the album, and a
In the post-Winelight era, Washington is credited for giving rise to a new batch of talent that would make its mark in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is known for bringing Kenny G to the forefront, but also credited with bringing such smooth jazz artists as Walter Beasley, Steve Cole, Pamela Williams, Najee, and George Howard. His song Mr. Magic is noted as being influential on Go-go music starting in the mid-1970s.

Death

On December 17, 1999, while waiting in the green room after taping four songs for the The Early Show, at CBS Studios in New York City, Washington collapsed. He was taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 7:30 p.m. He was 56 years old. His doctors determined that he had suffered a massive heart attack.

Tributes

A large mural of Washington, part of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, is just south of the intersection of Broad and Diamond Streets.

Discography

As leader

1971: Inner City Blues (Kudu Records)
1972: ''All the King's Horses (CTI/Kudu Records)
1973: Soul Box (Kudu Records)
1974: Mister Magic (Kudu Records)
1975: Feels So Good (Kudu Records)
1976: A Secret Place (Kudu Records)
1978: Live at the Bijou
1979: Paradise
1979: Reed Seed
1980: Skylarkin
1980: Winelight
1980: Come Morning
1981: Baddest
1982: The Best Is Yet to Come
1984: Inside Moves
1986: House Full of Love (Music from The Cosby Show)
1987: Strawberry Moon
1988: Then and Now
1989: Time Out of Mind
1992: Next Exit
1994: All My Tomorrows
1996: Soulful Strut
1997: Breath of Heaven: A Holiday Collection
2000: Aria

As sideman

With Leon Spencer

1970: Sneak Preview (Prestige Records)
1971: Louisiana Slim (Prestige)

With Dexter Gordon

1982: American Classic (Elektra)

With Kenny Burrell

1985: Togethering (Blue Note)

With Gerry Mulligan

1995: Dragonfly (Telarc)

With Kathleen Battle

1995: So Many Stars (Sony)

Signed Music Artists