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James Leary

James H. Leary was an American double bass player and arranger/composer. Among his notable teachers and mentors was Ortiz Walton, the youngest member to sign with the Boston Symphony and its first African America member.Double bass under who played with the Count Basie Orchestra, Nancy Wilson, Earl Hines, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Harris, Dizzy Gillespie with the San Francisco Pops conducted by Arthur Fiedler, Max Roach, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Johnny Hartman, Major Lance, Johnny Taylor, Esther Phillips, Rosemary Clooney, and Don Shirley. His involvement with Broadway shows included Eubie!, They're Playing Our Song, Ain't Misbehavin', Bubbling Brown Sugar, Five Guys Named Moe, Timbuktu! with Eartha Kitt, Oakland Symphony Bass Section, Pharoah Sanders, Red Garland, Jaki Byard, Randy Weston, and John Handy.

Leary was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, and studied at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He has won two Grammy Awards.

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Acoustic Image: Contra model amplifier Bernedel@1834 Doublebass


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Lifeforce Jazz to Release James Leary New CD Release

Lifeforce Jazz to Release James Leary New CD Release

Source: Craig Neely

On Tuesday May 8th, 2012 Lifeforce Jazz releases a stellar CD of original compositions and arrangements, Together by James Leary, recorded in two outstanding recording sessions. After years with the Count Basie Orchestra winning two Grammy's along the way, Sammy Davis Jr. Bobby Hutcherson, Max Roach, Randy Weston, and Dizzy Gillespie to name a few James Leary delivers with grand excellence! Tracks 1-7 were originally released on vinyl that featured a host of Bay Area legends including Joe Henderson, Eddie ...

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