Gigi Gryce

Gigi Gryce (b. George General Grice, Jr. in Pensacola, Florida, November 28, 1925; d. Pensacola, Florida, March 14, 1983) was an American saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, and educator. His performing career, though notable, was very short and, in comparison to other musicians of his generation, Gryce's work is little known.

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Pensacola - Florida - November 28 - 1925 - March 14 - 1983

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Although primarily a jazz musician, Gryce studied composition with Alan Hovhaness and Daniel Pinkham at the Boston Conservatory following World War II and while there composed a number of symphonic compositions. During the 1950s he achieved some renown for his innovative bebop playing, his primary instrument being the alto saxophone. Among the musicians with whom Gryce performed were Thelonious Monk, Tadd Dameron, Lionel Hampton, Clifford Brown, Art Farmer, and Donald Byrd.

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Alan Hovhaness - Daniel Pinkham - Boston Conservatory - Bebop - Thelonious Monk - Tadd Dameron - Lionel Hampton - Clifford Brown - Art Farmer - Donald Byrd

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In the mid-1950s he converted to Islam and adopted the name Basheer Qusim. By the early 1960s he stopped using the name Gigi Gryce and, partly due to personal problems that took their toll on his financial and emotional state, withdrew from performing. During this last period of his life he taught at a series of public schools in Long Island and New York City, and the CES (Community Elementary School) 53 on 168th Street in Bronx, New York, the last school at which Gryce taught, was renamed the Basheer Qusim School in his honor.

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Islam - Long Island - New York City - Bronx - New York

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