Ray Brown (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ray Brown
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Ray Brown in New York, around 1947
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Raymond Matthews Brown |
| Born | October 13, 1926 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | July 2, 2002 (aged 75) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Double bass, cello |
| Years active | 1946–2002 |
| Labels |
|
Raymond Matthews Brown (born October 13, 1926 – died July 2, 2002) was an amazing American jazz musician. He played the double bass, which is a very large string instrument. Ray Brown was famous for playing with jazz legends like Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald. He also helped start a group that later became the Modern Jazz Quartet.
Contents
Ray Brown's Life Story
Growing Up and Starting Music
Ray Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 13, 1926. When he was eight, he started taking piano lessons. But at his high school, there were so many pianists! Ray thought about playing the trombone next, but he couldn't afford one.
Then, he saw an opening in the high school jazz orchestra for a bass player. So, he decided to learn the upright bass. This was a big moment that changed his musical path!
Becoming a Jazz Star
A famous bass player named Jimmy Blanton really inspired Ray Brown. As a young musician, Ray became well-known in the Pittsburgh jazz scene. He played in bands like the Jimmy Hinsley Sextet.
When he was 20, Ray heard about the exciting jazz music happening in New York City. He bought a one-way ticket and moved there. Soon after arriving, he met Dizzy Gillespie, a famous jazz trumpeter, who needed a bass player. Dizzy hired Ray right away! Ray then got to play with other jazz greats like Art Tatum and Charlie Parker.
From 1946 to 1951, Ray played in Dizzy Gillespie's band. He was part of the rhythm section with Milt Jackson (vibraphone), Kenny Clarke (drums), and John Lewis (piano). These three musicians later formed the famous Modern Jazz Quartet.
Ray also met the incredible singer Ella Fitzgerald when she joined Dizzy's band for a tour. Ray and Ella got married in 1947. They adopted a son, Ray Brown, Jr.. Even though they divorced in 1953 because of their busy careers, they remained good friends and often performed together.
.jpg)
Playing with Oscar Peterson
From 1951 to 1965, Ray Brown was a key member of the Oscar Peterson Trio. This trio was very popular and played amazing jazz music. For some years, they also had a guitarist like Herb Ellis.
Ray also recorded many songs as a session musician for producer Norman Granz. He often played alongside Oscar Peterson on these recordings. After leaving the Oscar Peterson Trio, Ray focused on studio work in Los Angeles.
Later Years and New Projects
In the 1970s, Ray Brown continued to be very active in music. He played bass on a song called "Razor Boy" for the band Steely Dan in 1973.
From 1974 to 1982, Ray was part of a group called The L.A. Four. They recorded several albums.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Ray Brown led his own trios. He kept improving his bass playing style. He toured and recorded a lot with pianist Gene Harris.
Ray also helped young musicians. In the early 1980s, he met Diana Krall, who later became a famous jazz singer and pianist. Ray encouraged her to move to Los Angeles to study music.
Ray Brown also made seven albums with pianist André Previn between 1989 and 2002. They had recorded together before in the 1960s.
He also played with a group called the "Quartet" with Monty Alexander and Milt Jackson. Later, he toured with his own trio, featuring talented young pianists like Benny Green and Larry Fuller. Ray Brown continued to perform with his trio until he passed away in 2002.
Personal Life
Ray Brown married Ella Fitzgerald in 1947. They adopted a son, Ray Jr.. Their marriage ended in 1953 because their busy careers kept them apart. However, Ray and Ella remained good friends and sometimes worked together on music.
Ray Brown died peacefully in his sleep on July 2, 2002. He had just played a round of golf before a show in Indianapolis.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Ray Brown received many honors for his incredible talent.
- In 1995, he earned an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.
- In 2001, he received the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class from Austria.
- In 2003, he was added to the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame, which is a very special honor in jazz music.
Grammy Awards
Ray Brown won his first Grammy Award for a song he wrote called "Gravy Waltz." This song later became the theme music for The Steve Allen Show on TV!
More About Ray Brown
See also
In Spanish: Ray Brown para niños
