Grover Washington Jr.(December 12, 1943 – December 17, 1999)[1][2]was an Americanjazz-funkandsoul-jazzsaxophonist and Grammy Award winner. Along withWes MontgomeryandGeorge Benson,he is considered by many to be one of the founders and legends of thesmooth jazzgenre.[3] He wrote some of his material and later became an arranger and producer.
Grover Washington Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Washington in 1995 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Grover Washington Jr. |
| Born | December 12, 1943 Buffalo, New York,U.S. |
| Died | December 17, 1999(aged 56) New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Saxophone, flute |
| Years active | 1967–1999 |
| Labels | Kudu,Motown,Elektra,Columbia |
| Spouse | Christine Washington |
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Washington made some of the genre's most memorable hits, including "Mister Magic", "Reed Seed", "Black Frost", "Winelight", "Inner City Blues", "Let it Flow (For 'Dr. J')", and "The Best is Yet to Come". In addition, he performed very frequently with other artists, includingBill Witherson "Just the Two of Us",Patti LaBelleon "The Best Is Yet to Come",andPhyllis Hymanon "A Sacred Kind of Love".
Early life
editWashington was born inBuffalo, New York,on December 12, 1943.[4]His mother was achurch chorister,and his father was a collector of oldjazzgramophone recordsand a saxophonist as well, so music was everywhere in the home. He grew up listening to the great jazzmen and big band leaders likeBenny Goodman,Fletcher Henderson,and others like them. At the age of 8, Grover Sr. gave Jr. a saxophone. He practiced and would sneak into clubs to see famous Buffalobluesmusicians. His younger brother, drummer Daryl Washington, would follow in his footsteps. He also had another younger brother named Michael Washington, who was an accomplished Gospel Music organist who mastered the Hammond B3 organ. He was part of a vocal ensemble, The Teen Kings, which includedLonnie Smith.
Career
editEarly career
editWashington left Buffalo and played with aMidwestgroup called the Four Clefs and then the Mark III Trio from Mansfield, Ohio. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into theU.S. Army,where he met drummerBilly Cobham.A music mainstay in New York City, Cobham introduced Washington to many New York musicians. After leaving the Army, Washington freelanced his talents around New York City, eventually landing inPhiladelphiain 1967.[1]In 1970 and 1971, he appeared onLeon Spencer's first two albums onPrestige Records,together withIdris MuhammadandMelvin Sparks.
Washington's big break came whenalto saxmanHank Crawfordwas unable to make a recording date withCreed Taylor'sKudu Records,[5]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.
Rise to fame
editWhile his first three albums established him as a force in jazz and soul music, it was his fourth album in 1974,Mister Magic,that proved a major commercial success. The album climbed to number 1 on Billboard's R&B album chart and number 10 on Billboard's Top 40 album chart. The title track reached No. 16 on the R&B singles chart (#54, pop). All these albums included guitaristEric Galeas a near-permanent member in Washington's arsenal.[1]His follow-up on Kudu in 1975,Feels So Goodalso made No. 1 on Billboard's R&B album chart and No. 10 on the pop album chart. Both albums were major parts of the jazz-funk movement of the mid-1970s.[4]
A string of acclaimed records brought Washington through the 1970s, culminating in the signature piece for everything he would do from then on.Winelight(1980) was the album that defined everything Washington was then about, having signed for Elektra Records, part of the major Warner Music group. The album was smooth, fused withR&Band easy listening feel. Washington's love of basketball, especially thePhiladelphia 76ers,led him to dedicate the second track, "Let It Flow", toJulius Erving(Dr. J). The highlight of the album was his collaboration with soul artistBill Withers,"Just the Two of Us", a hit on radio during the spring and summer of 1981, peaking at No. 2 on theBillboardHot 100.[4]The album wentplatinumin 1981,[4]and also wonGrammy Awardsin 1982 for Best R&B Song ( "Just The Two of Us" ), and Best Jazz Fusion Performance ( "Winelight" ). "Winelight" was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.[1]
In the post-Winelightera, 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 bringingKenny Gto the forefront, as well as artists such asKirk Whalum,Walter Beasley,Steve Cole,Pamela Williams,Najee,Boney JamesandGeorge Howard.His song "Mister Magic" is noted as being influential ongo-gomusic starting in the mid-1970s.[6]
Equipment
edit| Instrument | Brand/Model | Mouthpiece | Reed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soprano Saxophone | H. Couf Superba I, black nickel plated | Runyon Custom #8 | Rico Royal #5 |
| Alto Saxophone | Selmer Mark VI | New York Meyer U.S.A. 7MM | Rico Royal #5 |
| Tenor Saxophone | H. Couf Superba I, gold plated | Berg Larsen Hard Rubber 130/0 | Rico Royal #5 |
(Although he was later photographed with Keilwerth SX90 and SX90R black nickel plated soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones on album covers, he rarely played them live or in the studio.)
Death
editOn December 17, 1999, five days after his 56th birthday, Washington collapsed while waiting in thegreen roomafter performing four songs forThe Saturday Early Show,atCBSStudios in New York City. He was taken toSt. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital,where he was pronounced dead at about 7:30 pm. His doctors determined that he had suffered a massiveheart attack.[1]He is interred atWest Laurel Hill CemeteryinBala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.
Tributes
editA large mural of Washington, part of the PhiladelphiaMural Arts Program,is just south of the intersection of Broad and Diamond streets.[7][8]A Philadelphia middle school in the Olney section of the city is named after Washington. Grover Washington Jr. Middle School caters to fifth- to eighth-grade students interested in the creative and performing arts.[9]
There is a mural dedicated to Grover Washington, Jr. in Buffalo, where he grew up and attended school.[10]
Inductions and other awards
editIn 1992, Washington was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk Of Fame.[11][12]
On April 24, 2023, Washington was inducted into the newly established, Atlantic City Walk Of Fame presented by, The National R&B Music Society Inc.[13][14]Washington's daughter Shana Washington, was in attendance to accept the honor. Jazz and R&B artistJean Carninducted Washington.James Brown,The DelfonicsandLittle Anthony & The Imperialswere also inducted in the inaugural class.[15][16]
Discography
editAlbums
editAs leader
edit| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 200 [17] |
US R&B [17] |
US Jazz [17] |
AUS [18] |
UK [19] | |||
| 1972 | Inner City Blues | 62 | 8 | 4 | — | — | |
| All the King's Horses | 111 | 20 | 1 | — | — | ||
| 1973 | Soul Box | 100 | 26 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1975 | Mister Magic | 10 | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Feels So Good | 10 | 1 | 1 | — | — | ||
| 1976 | A Secret Place | 31 | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1977 | Live at The Bijou | 11 | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1978 | Reed Seed | 35 | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1979 | Paradise | 24 | 15 | 2 | — | — | |
| 1980 | Skylarkin' | 24 | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Winelight | 5 | 2 | 1 | 35 | 34 | ||
| 1981 | Come Morning | 28 | — | 1 | — | 98 | |
| Baddest | 96 | 40 | 5 | — | — | ||
| Anthology | 149 | 44 | 11 | — | — | ||
| 1982 | The Best Is Yet to Come | 50 | 8 | 1 | 100 | — | |
| 1984 | Inside Moves | 79 | 21 | 3 | — | — | |
| 1986 | A House Full of Love | 125 | 52 | 25 | — | — | |
| 1987 | Strawberry Moon | 66 | 29 | — | 100 | — | |
| 1988 | Then and Now | — | — | 2 | — | — | |
| 1989 | Time Out of Mind | — | 60 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1992 | Next Exit | 149 | 26 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1994 | All My Tomorrows | — | — | 2 | — | — | |
| 1996 | Soulful Strut | 187 | 45 | 2 | — | — | |
| 1997 | Breath of Heaven: A Holiday Collection | — | — | 7 | — | — | |
| 2000 | Aria | — | — | — | — | — | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | |||||||
As sideman
edit|
WithEddie Henderson
WithLeon Spencer
|
With others
|
Singles
edit| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Pop [21] |
US R&B [21] |
UK [19] | |||
| 1971 | "Inner City Blues" | — | 42 | — | |
| 1972 | "Mercy Mercy Me" | — | — | — | |
| "No Tears in the End" | — | 49 | — | ||
| 1973 | "Masterpiece" | — | — | — | |
| 1975 | "Mister Magic" | 54 | 16 | — | |
| 1976 | "Knucklehead" | — | — | — | |
| 1977 | "Summer Song" | — | 57 | — | |
| 1978 | "Do Dat" | — | 75 | — | |
| 1979 | "Tell Me About It Now" | — | 57 | — | |
| 1980 | "Snake Eyes" | — | 88 | — | |
| "Winelight" | — | — | — | ||
| 1981 | "Just the Two of Us" | 2 | 3 | 34 |
|
| 1982 | "Be Mine (Tonight)" | 92 | 13 | — | |
| "Jamming" | — | 65 | — | ||
| 1983 | "The Best Is Yet to Come" | — | 14 | — | |
| 1984 | "Inside Moves" | — | 79 | — | |
| 1987 | "Summer Nights" | — | 35 | — | |
| 1989 | "Jamaica" | — | — | — | |
| 1990 | "Sacred Kind of Love" | — | 21 | — | |
| 1992 | "Love Like This" | — | 31 | — | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | |||||
References
edit- ^abcdeYanow, Scott."Grover Washington, Jr. - Biography & History".AllMusic.RetrievedDecember 6,2017.
- ^"Grover Washington Grammy".grammy.RetrievedFebruary 18,2023.
- ^Richard J. Lawn (March 20, 2013).Experiencing Jazz.Routledge. p. 337.ISBN9781135042691.
- ^abcdColin Larkin,ed. (1997).The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music(Concise ed.).Virgin Books.p. 1234/5.ISBN978-1-85227-745-1.
- ^"Cti Records: Kudu".Archived fromthe originalon February 6, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 6,2012.
- ^Chang, Jeff (June 2001)."Wind me up, Chuck!".San Francisco Bay Guardian.Archived fromthe originalon August 31, 2001.RetrievedJune 1,2007.
- ^Lewis, Susan (July 10, 2017)."Looking at the Mural of Grover Washington, Jr. You Can Almost Hear the Music".WRTI.RetrievedMay 2,2020.
- ^"Google Maps".Google Maps.RetrievedDecember 6,2017.
- ^"Points of Pride - The School District of Philadelphia".Webgui.phila.k12.pa.us.Archived fromthe originalon March 6, 2011.RetrievedDecember 6,2017.
- ^Lippa, Nick (October 13, 2020)."Grover Washington Jr. mural brings a little Mister Magic to Buffalo's East Side".News.wbfo.org.RetrievedJuly 10,2021.
- ^"Grover Washington, Jr. | Walk of Fame".Philadelphia Music Alliance.RetrievedMay 1,2023.
- ^Worrell, Carolina (April 25, 2019)."First All-Jazz Induction to Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame Scheduled for Oct. 19".JazzTimes.RetrievedMay 1,2023.
- ^"GALLERY: Atlantic City Walk of Fame".Press of Atlantic City.April 13, 2023.RetrievedMay 1,2023.
- ^Fertsch, Cindy (February 27, 2023)."The National Rhythm & Blues Music Society Inc. Presents The Atlantic City Walk of Fame & Induction Ceremony".Shore Local Newsmagazine.RetrievedMay 1,2023.
- ^Fertsch, Cindy (April 26, 2023)."The National Rhythm & Blues Music Society Inc. inducts artists into the first 'Walk of Fame'".Shore Local Newsmagazine.RetrievedMay 1,2023.
- ^"Atlantic City Walk of Fame".Press of Atlantic City.April 24, 2023.RetrievedMay 1,2023.
- ^abc"Grover Washington, Jr. - Awards".AllMusic.Archived fromthe originalon November 16, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 9,2022.
- ^Kent, David(1993).Australian Chart Book 1970–1992(illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 333.ISBN0-646-11917-6.
- ^ab"GROVER WASHINGTON JR - full Official Chart History".Official Charts Company.RetrievedNovember 25,2021.
- ^ab"British certifications – Grover Washington Jr".British Phonographic Industry.RetrievedMay 19,2024.TypeGrover Washington Jrin the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ab"Grover Washington Jr. Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography".Music VF.RetrievedNovember 25,2021.