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Grady Tate

Born in Durham, N.C., Grady Tate began singing at age four and he began playing drums at age five. For the past three decades his distinctive sound has graced literally hundreds of recordings with world-renowned artists such as Quincy Jones, Jimmy Smith, Lionel Hampton, Stan Getz, Pearl Bailey, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Della Reese, Sarah Vaughan, Michael LeGrand, Lalo Schrifin, and Andre Previn. He graduated from North Carolina Central University with a degree in English literature/drama and a minor in Psychology. He taught English and Speech in Washington, DC, but his desire to pursue an acting career lead him to New York City and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Once in New York, however, his reputation as an outstanding musician resulted in work with Quincy Jones.

Singing is also a natural talent of Mr. Tate. After the legendary Peggy Lee heard him sing and introduced him as a part of her show, his musical dimension expanded radically. He has been described as "the best singer to emerge from the ranks of instrumentalists since Nat Cole." His most recent CDs as a vocalist are TNT-Grady Tate Sings and Body and Soul (Milestone). Mr. Tate received two Grammy nominations as "Best Male Pop Vocalist" (1973 and 1989). The Manhattan Association of Cabaret Singers recognized him as "Outstanding Male Jazz/Blues Vocalist." Mr. Tate performed six years as drummer for Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. He served as assistant conductor and drummer for Broadway shows Lena Horne, The Lady and Her Music, and Black and Blue. Mr. Tate has been on the Howard University faculty since 1989.

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10
Album Review

Dorothy Ashby: With Strings Attached, 1957-1965

Read "With Strings Attached, 1957-1965" reviewed by John Chacona


Imagine if Sidney Bechet, Charlie Christian and Jimmy Smith were barely remembered and recordings of their music were long unavailable and known only on the geekiest corners of Discogs. That is essentially the status of harpist Dorothy Ashby. Like the three figures cited above, Ashby essentially created a language for her chosen instrument, the harp, where virtually none has existed before and established it as a legitimate and expressive vehicle for jazz improvisation at the highest level. Just how brilliantly ...

799
Interview

Grady Tate: The Art of the Singing Drummer

Read "Grady Tate: The Art of the Singing Drummer" reviewed by Greg Thomas


Grady Tate, 76, is best known as one of the most beloved, consistently dependable session drummers since the 1960s. He's the steady pulse on the famous version of Benny Golson's “Killer Joe," from Quincy Jones' Walking in Space (Verve, 1969), where his hi-hat groove and snare drum rim shots on the four, in tandem with bassist Ray Brown's big-toned walking, formed the backdrop for the head and solos by Hubert Laws and Freddie Hubbard.He was the house drummer ...

295
Album Review

Grady Tate: From the Heart: Songs Sung Live at the Blue Note

Read "From the Heart: Songs Sung Live at the Blue Note" reviewed by Greg Thomas


Grady Tate, likely the most recorded trap drummer in history, has played with many a great singer: Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Peggy Lee and Sarah Vaughan--and that's just a few. But Tate himself has been one of the best jazz vocalists on the scene since his 1968 recording Windmills of My Mind. This past New Year's Eve, at a brunch gig at the Blue Note, he performed an exhilarating set which included tunes from From the ...

318
Album Review

Jimmy Smith: Organ Grinder Swing

Read "Organ Grinder Swing" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


It was through his early work on Blue Note that the world-shattering innovations of Jimmy Smith first reached the record buying public. Pure be-bop was the order of the day and aside from a special guest or two thrown in from time to time, Smith worked mainly in a trio context. Then the organist left for Verve Records and producer Creed Taylor broadened Smith's horizons by recording him with large ensembles, not to mention getting him to add a bluesy ...

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2

Obituary

Grady Tate RIP

Grady Tate RIP

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey

Grady Tate died on Sunday at his home in New York City. He was 85. His wife Vivian said that he had dementia. In demand for years as a drummer, he was encouraged by Peggy Lee to begin singing publicly and launched a new career as a vocalist. Tate’s professional debut was with the organist Wild Bill Davis in 1959. In the decades that followed, he worked with major jazz artists including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Oliver Nelson, Ella Fitzgerald, ...

4

Obituary

Grady Tate (1932-2017)

Grady Tate (1932-2017)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Grady Tate, one of the most prolific drummers in the soul-jazz era beginning in the early 1960s who recorded on nearly 700 sessions and who easily could have had a career as a vocalist, died on October 8. He was 85. Tate began his recording career with Wild Bill Davis, the father of the jazz organ, on Davis's 1959 album Flyin' High. He remained with Davis through four albums in the early 1960s. Listening to the recording today, you realize ...

85

Performance / Tour

Grady Tate; Jammin' On The Hudson

Grady Tate; Jammin' On The Hudson

Source: Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC

Riverbank State Park, in association with Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC, for our seventh consecutive year are pleased to present: “ Jammin' On The Hudson." 'Jammin'; The Summer Concert Series for the 'serious' Jazz Lover! The series features 'World-Class' Players, appearing one Sunday in July and one in August. What could be more inviting than listening to the sounds of great Jazz Artists, cast out over The Hudson River, at sunset, for Free?! On Sunday August 7th we present a talented ...

179

Performance / Tour

Tuesday Nites' Lions and Legends Evolution Series at Creole Music Cafe (NYC)

Tuesday Nites' Lions and Legends Evolution Series at Creole Music Cafe (NYC)

Source: Hollis Group

Its all about the sounds of young lions roaring, the meeting of the musical minds, and the fusion of the genius of established jazz giants with the fervor and passion of tomorrows jazz legends. New York City restaurateur and entrepreneur Kevin Walters makes it all happen every Tuesday night at his now venerable East Harlem restaurant and gathering spot, CREOLE Restaurant, Music and Supper Club; 2167 Third Avenue @ 118th Street, New York City, creolenyc.com.

Jazz legends ranging from Grady ...

276

Performance / Tour

Bobbi Humphrey, Grady Tate, Clifton Anderson, Stuff at Creole in October

Bobbi Humphrey, Grady Tate, Clifton Anderson, Stuff at Creole in October

Source: Ann Forster

Creole Restaurant NYC: 2167 Third Avenue, Corner of 118th Street, NY, NY 10035. Call (212) 876-8838 | Visit www.creolenyc.com

OCTOBER 2009 CALENDAR BOBBI HUMPHREY: October 2nd & 3rd CLIFTON ANDERSON: October 9th & 10th GRADY TATE: October 16th & 17th STUFF BROTHERS & SISTERS: Every Wednesday: Gary Sieger, Frank Canino, Chris Parker, Steve Greenfield, Andy Burton, Roy Bennett, Maxine Brown, Beverly Crosby

Friday, October 2nd & Saturday, October 3rd at 8:00pm & ...

176

Performance / Tour

Jazz by the Riverside with Grady Tate

Jazz by the Riverside with Grady Tate

Source: All About Jazz

As New York's JVC Jazz Festival, the major jazz festival, closes for the first time in 37 years, Riverside offers an alternative venue for jazz this June. Jazz by the Riverside is one way to enjoy jazz live and in person this summer. This Friday night series of concerts is not to be missed... All performances begin @ 7:30 p.m. Join us Friday Night, JUNE 12 at the Riverside Church for a night of jazz with Grady Tate. Grady Tate ...

204

Event

Culture Project Presents the Cat Who Went to Heaven, Captivating Jazz Puppet Show at the Harlem School of the Arts with Music and Lyrics by Nancy Harrow

Culture Project Presents the Cat Who Went to Heaven, Captivating Jazz Puppet Show at the Harlem School of the Arts with Music and Lyrics by Nancy Harrow

Source: Two Sheps That Pass

Based On The Newbery Award-Winning Book By Elizabeth Coatsworth Directed By Will Pomerantz Six Special Performances Begin Wednesday, May 13, 2009 (suggested donation $10) New York, NY — Culture Project (Allan Buchman, Artistic Director), who brought to the stage the successful, seven season run of the children’s show Maya the Bee, has announced a special, six-performance run of the acclaimed children’s jazz puppet show The Cat Who Went to Heaven at The Harlem School of the Arts Theater (647 St. ...

298

Performance / Tour

The Jazz Legacy Series Presents Legendary Singer & Drummer Grady Tate Performing at Creole

The Jazz Legacy Series Presents Legendary Singer & Drummer Grady Tate Performing at Creole

Source: All About Jazz

Creole Restaurant and Music Supper Club proudly presents Grady Tate & Quintet in concert as part of its Jazz Legacy Series on Friday, April 17th and Saturday, April 18th at 8:00 and 10:00 PM at Creole, 2167 Third Avenue, Corner of 118th Street, NYC.

For over 40 years, Grady Tate has been one of the worlds most versatile and frequently recorded musicians. His resume includes stints with everyone from Quincy Jones and Duke Ellington to Aretha Franklin, Stan Getz, and ...

140

Performance / Tour

Jazz Legacy Series: Grady Tate at Creole Music Supper Club on April 17-18

Jazz Legacy Series: Grady Tate at Creole Music Supper Club on April 17-18

Source: All About Jazz

Creole Music Supper Club, in association with Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC, proudly present: The Jazz Legacy Series Combine the exquisite dining experience of “Creole" with the flavor of internationally known jazz artists... toss in the nostalgia of an ambiance found in elegant supper clubs and you have our Jazz Legacy Series. Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC; bringing Jazz back uptown to what was once the spawning ground of the be-bop era, and its traditions. For the final performance in our Series; ...

194

Interview

Drummer/Vocalist Grady Tate Interviewed at AAJ

Drummer/Vocalist Grady Tate Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz

Grady Tate, 76, is best known as one of the most beloved, consistently dependable session drummers since the 1960s. He's the steady pulse on the famous version of Benny Golson's “Killer Joe," from Quincy Jones' Walking in Space (Verve, 1969), where his hi-hat groove and snare drum rim shots on the four, in tandem with bassist Ray Brown's big-toned walking, formed the backdrop for the head and solos by Hubert Laws and Freddie Hubbard.

He was the house drummer for ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

With Strings...

New Land Records
2023

buy

Stretchin' Out

Nagel Heyer Records
2023

buy

From the Heart: Songs...

Half Note Records
2007

buy

Organ Grinder Swing

Verve Music Group
2001

buy

Funiculi Funicula

Skye Records
1977

buy

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