Ray Brown

:For Raymond Alfred Brown, Dean of Admission at Texas Christian University, visit Raymond Alfred Brown

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Raymond Alfred Brown

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Raymond Matthews (Ray) Brown (October 13, 1926 – July 2, 2002) was an American jazz bassist.

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October 13 - 1926 - July 2 - 2002 - American - Jazz - Bassist

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Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At the age of 8 he began to play piano. In high school he decided to become a bassist because there was a vacancy in the school jazz orchestra. He also thought practicing the bass might be easier than piano.

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Pittsburgh - Pennsylvania

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His first experiences playing in bands were with the Jimmy Hinsley Sextet and the Snookum Russel band. He played in jazz clubs throughout the United States and soon became known in the New York City jazz scene. Arriving in New York at age 20, he met and played with established musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Art Tatum, and Charlie Parker.

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Jimmy Hinsley Sextet - Snookum Russel - New York City - Dizzy Gillespie - Art Tatum - Charlie Parker

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From 1946 to 1951 he played with Dizzy Gillespie, Jazz at the Philharmonic, Milt Jackson, and Ella Fitzgerald (who was then his wife). Brown then was a member of the Oscar Peterson trio for fifteen years. After leaving the Trio he became a manager and promoter as well as a performer. Among the artists he managed were the Modern Jazz Quartet and Quincy Jones.

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Dizzy Gillespie - Jazz at the Philharmonic - Milt Jackson - Ella Fitzgerald - Oscar Peterson - Modern Jazz Quartet - Quincy Jones

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In the late 1960s he moved to Los Angeles where he wrote music for films and TV shows. He was awarded his first Grammy for Gravy Waltz, a tune which would later be used as the theme song for The Steve Allen Show. Other awards would follow.

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Los Angeles - Grammy - Steve Allen

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In the 1980s and '90s he led his own trios and continued to refine his bass playing style. In his later years he recorded and toured extensively with pianist Gene Harris. In 1990 he discovered Diana Krall in a restaurant in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

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Gene Harris - Diana Krall - Nanaimo - British Columbia

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He continued to perform until his death; he died while taking a nap before a show in Indianapolis.

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