Leroy Vinnegar facts for kids

Leroy Vinnegar (born July 13, 1928 – died August 3, 1999) was a famous American jazz musician. He played the double bass, which is a large string instrument. Leroy was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, but he became well-known in Los Angeles, California, during the 1950s and 1960s.

Leroy taught himself how to play the bass. He was famous for his special way of playing called the "walking bass line." This is a steady rhythm of notes that go up or down, like someone walking. Because of this unique style, people nicknamed him "The Walker." Besides his jazz music, Leroy also played on movie soundtracks and pop albums, including Van Morrison's album Saint Dominic's Preview in 1972.

Leroy's Music Career

Leroy Vinnegar recorded many albums throughout his career. He played both as a leader (meaning it was his own music project) and as a sideman (meaning he played with other musicians).

He became famous in the 1950s by recording with many jazz stars. Some of these included Stan Getz, Chet Baker, and Shelly Manne.

Leroy played bass on the album My Fair Lady by André Previn and Shelly Manne. This album became one of the most successful jazz records ever! He also performed on another huge jazz hit, Swiss Movement, by Eddie Harris and Les McCann, which came out in 1969.

In the late 1950s, Leroy often played at famous jazz clubs in California, like the Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach. In 1986, he moved to Portland, Oregon. His home state of Oregon honored him in 1995. The Oregon State Legislature announced that May 1st would be known as Leroy Vinnegar Day!

Leroy Vinnegar passed away from a heart attack on August 3, 1999, in Portland. He was 71 years old.

Albums Leroy Led

Leroy Vinnegar released several albums where he was the main artist. Here are some of them:

• Leroy Walks! (1958)
• Leroy Walks Again!! (1963)
• Jazz's Great "Walker" (1964)
• Glass of Water (1973)
• The Kid (1974)
• Walkin' the Basses (1992)

Playing with Other Artists

Leroy Vinnegar was a very popular sideman. This means many other musicians wanted him to play bass on their albums. He played with a wide range of artists across different music styles. Here are some of the famous musicians he worked with:

• Jazz Legends: He played with jazz greats like Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Benny Carter, Dexter Gordon, Shelly Manne, Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper, and Sonny Rollins.
• Rock and Pop: He even played on the album Waiting for the Sun by the rock band The Doors in 1968. He also contributed to Van Morrison's album Saint Dominic's Preview.
• Other Notable Collaborations: Leroy also recorded with Eddie Harris and Les McCann on their hit album Swiss Movement, and with The Jazz Crusaders.

See also

In Spanish: Leroy Vinnegar para niños