1952	Wardell Gray Chronology
	Created by Leif Bo Petersen	Last updated: December 15, 2024.
Date	Event	References/Further Details
Unidentified date 1952	Wardell Gray – Stan Getz Released 1952. Seeco SLP 7. Highlights in Modern Jazz 10” 33 rpm. LP record. Wardell Gray appears only on SLP 7A, reissues of Seeco 10-002 and !0-003. Wardell Gray and the Al Haig Quintet Recorded December 1948/January mid 1949 SLP 7A Sugar Hill Five Star In a Pinch It’s the Talk of the Town Stan Getz and the Al Haig Quintet Recorded December May 12, 1949 SLP 7B Skull Buster Ante Room Poop Deck Pennies From Heaven	https://www.bsnpubs.com/latin/seeco.html
January	Wardell Gray Combo Night club, Oxnard, CA.	”Los Angeles Band Briefs,” Billboard, January 25, 1952, 13.
January 18	Dinah Washington (voc) accompanied by Jimmy Cobb’s Orchestra Unidentified (tp); unidentified (as); Wardell Gray, Ben Webster (ts); unidentified (bars); Wynton Kelly (p); unidentified (b); Jimmy Cobb (d). Unidentified studio, Los Angeles, CA. Commercial recordings for Mercury.	For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
January 21	Wardell Gray – Los Angeles All Stars Art Farmer (tp); Wardell gray (ts); Hampton Hawes (p); Harper Cosby (B); Lawrance Marable (d); Robert Collier (cng). Unidentified Studio, Los Angeles, CA. Commercial recordings for Prestige.	For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
January late	Dinah Washington Release of Mercury 8267. 10“ 78 rpm. record. Mercury 8267x45 7” 45 rpm. record Dinah Washington with Orchestral Accompaniment. Recorded January 18, 1952. 8267 A 8267x45 A Tell Me Why 8267 B 8267x45 B Wheel of Fortune	Ad for Mercury, Billboard, January 26, 1952, 34: Mercury 8267: Just out. “What’s on Wax,” Down Beat, March 7, 1952, 15: positive review: both sides: rating 5 of 10.
January late	Jam sessions Including Wardell Gray and Dexter Gordon. Club Alabam, Los Angeles, CA. Monday night Jam sessions.	“Alabam Books Dinah Washington,” Los Angeles Tribune, January 26, 1952, 15,
February	Metronome All Stars 1951 Tenor sax: 1. Stan Getz 2. Flip Philips 3. 3Lester Young 4. Warne Marsh 5. Zoot Sims 12. Wardell Gray	”The Winners,” Metronome, February 1952, 14.
February	Wardell Gray-Dexter Gordon Combo Music Town, Los Angeles, CA. Friday night sessions.	“Dexter, Wardell Head New Unit.” Down Beat, February 22, 1.
February 2	Just Jazz Concert Billy Eckstine (voc) Helen, Humes (voc) Les Thompson (harmonica) Just Jazz all Stars Conte Candoli (tp); Wardell Gray, Dexter Gordon (ts); Bobby Tucker, John Harrington (p); Bill Douglas, Ray Callender, Don Bagley (b); Chico Hamilton (d). Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA. 8:30 pm. Gene Norman (mc). Recordings exist.	“Eckstine in Pasadena Saturday,” California Eagle, January 31, 1952, 12. Ad in Pasadena Independent, January 31, 1952, 37. J. G. Jepsen (ed), Jazz Records 1942–62 vol. 8 (1965). For further details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
February mid	Jam sessions Wardell Gray All Stars Club Tiffany, Los Angeles, CA. Sunday afternoon jam sessions.	“The Spotlighter,” Los Angeles Daily News, February 13, 1952, 26.
March early	Jam Session Wardell Gray, Dexter Gordon (ts); Russ Freeman (p); Clarence Jones (b); Lawrence Marable (d). Trade Winds, Inglewood, CA. Private recordings exist.	For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
March 18	Billy Holiday Wardell Gray Quartet Wardell Gray (ts); Hampton Hawes (p); unidentified (b); chico Hamilton (d). Tiffany Club, Los Angeles, CA. March 18–April 7.	Ad in Los Angeles Times, March 18, 1952: Opening tonite. Ad in Los Angeles Times, April 3, 1952: Last 5 days. “Wardell Gray Forms New Ork with Top Stars,” California Eagle, April 17, 1952, 9: Gives personnel.
March 22	Concert Stan Kenton, Les Brown, Willie Smith, Billy May’s Orchestra, Wardell Gray, Ginger Smock, Dexter Gordon, and Candy Davis. Golden State Insurance Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA. 12:30 p.m. An Afternoon in Jazz. YWCA benefit.	“YWCA Teenage Group to present programs of topflight Jazz Stars,” California Eagle, March 20, 1952, 12: has Stan Kenton, Benny Carter, Billy May’s Orchestra, Wardell Gray, Dexter Gordon, a. o. “People and Places,” California Eagle, March 27, 1952, 9.
March 24?	Jam Session Chet Baker (tp); Sonny Criss (as); Wardell Gray, Dave Pell (ts); Jerry Mandell (p); Harry Babasin (cello); Bobby Whitlock (b); Lawrence Marable (d). Trade Winds, Inglewood, CA. Private recordings exist.	For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
March late	Wardell Gray Combo Wardell Gray (ts), Hampton Hawes (p), unidentified (b), Chico Hamilton (d). Planned concerts, and one-niters in Chicago, Kansas City, and other cities.	“Wardell Gray Forms New Orchestra with ‘Top Stars,” California Eagle, March 17, 1952, 9. “Bronzeville Is My Beat,” California Eagle, April 24, 1952, 10.
April	Dinah Washington Released of Mercury 8269 10“ 78 rpm. record. Mercury 8269x45 7” 45 rpm. record Wardell Gray appears only on 8269 A Dinah Washington with Orchestral Accompaniment. Recorded January 18, 1952. 8269 A 8269x45 A Trouble in Mind Recorded September 24, 1951. 8269 B 8269x45 B New Blowtop Blues	Ad for Mercury, Billboard, April 15, 1952, 98: Mercury 8269.
April	Wardell Gray Release of: Prestige PRLP 115, Tenor Sax favorites: Wardell Gray 10” 33 rpm. record. Reissues of Prestige 707 (New Jazz NJ 817), 711, 714, and 723. Wardell Gray Recorded November 11, 1949 PLP 115 A Easy Living Southside Sweet Lorraine Recorded April 25, 1950 PLP 115 B Blue Moon (Blue Gray) Gray Hound (Grayhound) Treadin’ (with Treadwell) A Sinner Kissed an Angel	“Record Reviews, Metronome, February 1952, 25: Review with reservations: Easy Living: B (Good). Gray Hound and Treadin’: B- (fairly good) Blue Moon, A Sinner Kissed an angel, Twisted, and Southside: C+ (fair). Sweet Lorraine: (C (mediocre).
April	Release of Prestige 770. 10” 78 rpm. record. Wardell Gray Recorded January 21, 1952. 770 A Lover Man 770 B Farmer’s Market	”What’s on Wax,” Down Beat, April 18, 1952, 15: Negative review: Farmer’s Market: ration 4 of 10. Lover Man: rating; 5 of 10.
April mid	Helen Humes Release of Decca 28113. 10“ 78 rpm. record. Decca 9-28113. 7” 45 rpm. record. Helen Humes Recorded February 2, 1952. 28113 A 9-28113 A Loud Talkin’ Woman 28113 B 9-28113 B They Raided the Joint	“Rhythm & Blues Releases,” Billboard, April 26, 1952, 36. “Record Reviews, Metronome, august 1952, 25: Negative review: Both sides: C- (poor).
April 21	Jam Session Sonny Criss (as); Wardell Gray (ts); Marty Paich (p); Harry Babasin (cello); Bobby Whitlock (b); Lawrence Marable (d). Trade Winds, Inglewood, CA. Private recordings exist.	For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
Spring	Wardell Gray Combo Including Art Farmer and Hampton Hawes. McClendon’s, Portland, OR. 1 week.	Robert Dietsche, Jumptown -The Golden Years of Portland Jazz, 1942-1957 (2005), 99.
May 6	Billie Holiday Club Alabam, Los Angeles, CA. Opening May 6. Wardell Gray was in the House band.	Ad in California Eagle, April 24, 1952, 10. http://content.cdlib.org/view?docId=hb6489p54g&brand=calisphere&doc.view=entire_text Clora Bryant in interview: Wardell Gray was in the house band here.
May 14	Earl Hines and His All Star Orchestra Jonah Jones (tp); Benny Green (tb); Wardell Gray (ts); Earl Hines (p); Tommy Potter (b); Jo Jones (d); Etta Mater (voc). Tootie’s New Mayfair, Kansas City, MO. May 14–21?	Ad in Kansas City Star, May 14, 1952, 39. Ad in Kansas City Star, May 22, 1952, 21: Buddy DeFranco opening tonight.
May 23	Louis Bellson and the Just Jazz All Stars Clark Terry (tp); Juan Tizol (vtb); John Graas (frh); Willie Smith (as); Wardell Gray (ts); Harry Carney (bar); Billy Strayhorn (p); Wendell Marshall (b); Louis Bellson (d). Radio Recorder’s Annex, Los Angeles, CA. Commercial recordings for Capitol.	For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
May late	Wardell Gray Combo Wardell Gray starts rehearsing a new band.	“Wardell Gray Has New Swing Combo,” Californian Eagle, June 5, 1952, 9.
May 29	Wardell Gray Combo Including Sonny Criss (as). El Sombrero, Los Angeles, CA. Dance.	“Undercover Hounds,” California Eagle, May 15, 1952, 8.
June	Joe Swanson Released of: Recorded in Hollywood RHI 221 10” 78 rpm. record. Joe Swanson and His Orchestra Recorded September/October 1950. RIH 221 A Forgive Me RIH 221 AA O’Blues	“Rhythm & Blues Record Reviews,” Billboard, July 6, 1952, 39:: Partly friendly review.
June early	Wardell Gray Combo Including Sonny Criss (as). El Sombrero, Los Angeles, CA. Dance.	“Undercover Hounds,” California Eagle, June 5, 1952, 8
June 9	Wardell Gray/Dexter Gordon Sextet Wardell Gray, Dexter Gordon (ts); Gerald Wiggins (p, celeste, org); George “Red” Callender (b); Chuck Thompson (d); Gladys Bentley (voc). Unidentified studio, Hollywood, CA. Commercial recordings for Swingtime.	For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
September	Just Jazz All Stars - Louis Bellson September 1952. Release of Capitol H-34, Just Jazz All Stars featuring Louis Bellson. 10” 33 rpm. record. Just Jazz All Stars featuring Louis Bellson. Recorded May 23, 1952. H-348 A: Eyes Rainbow Sticks Shadows H-348 B: The Jeep Is Jumpin’ Passion Flower Punkin’ Johnny Come Lately	Ad for Capitol, Billboard, September 13, 1952, 31 “Record Reviews: Jazz,” Down Beat, November 5, 1952, 11:Very positive review: album rating: four stars (very good),
September 9	Jam Session Art Farmer (tp); Wardell Gray (ts); Hampton Hawes (p); Howard Roberts (g); Joe Mondragon (b); Shelly Manne (d). The Haig , Los Angeles, CA. Private recordings exist.	For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
September 13	Wardell Gray Combo Royal Palms Hotel, Westlake, CA. Dance.	“Student Model Plaid Fashions at Royal Palms,” California Eagle, September 11, 1952, 9.
September mid	Wardell Gray Combo Wardell Gray (ts); Marty Paich (p); Joe Mondragon (b); Jimmy Pratt (d). The Haig, Los Angeles, CA. Tuesday night sessions.	“Strictly Ad Lib: Hollywood,” Down Beat, October 8, 1952, 3.
September 27	Shorty Rogers and His Giants Milton “Shorty” Rogers, Chet Baker (tp); Bob Enevoldsen (v-tb); Art Pepper (as); Wardell Gray (ts); Gerry Mulligan (bar); Les Thompson (harmonica); Hampton Hawes (p); Joe Mondragon (b); Lawrence Marable (d); June Christy (voc). Rendezvous Ballroom, Balboa-Newport Beach, CA. September 27 and October 10, and autumn undated: Private recording exist.	For details: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
October 10	Shorty Rogers and His Giants Milton “Shorty” Rogers, Chet Baker (tp); Art Pepper (as); Wardell Gray (ts); Gerry Mulligan (bars); Hampton Hawes (p); Joe Mondragon (b); Lawrence Marable (d). 5-4 Ballroom, Los Angeles, CA. Recordings exist.	For details: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
Autumn	Shorty Rogers and His Giants Milton “Shorty” Rogers, Chet Baker (tp); Art Pepper (as); Wardell Gray (ts); Gerry Mulligan (bars); Hampton Hawes (p); Joe Mondragon (b); Lawrence Marable (d). Probably Balboa-Newport Beach, CA. Recordings exist.	For details: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html
November late	Dexter Gordon Release of Swing Time 321. 10” 78 rpm. record. 7” 45 rpm single record. Recorded June 9, 1952. Dexter Gordon Swing Time 321A Jingle Jangle Jump Swing Time 321B The Rubaiyat	”Record Reviews: Popular,” Billboard, November 29, 1952, 48: Friendly review.
December 6	Wardell Gray - Ernie Royal Sextet Hampton Hawes Trio Featuring Shelley Manne. The Clef, Los Angeles, CA. December 6–31	Ad in Los Angeles Times, December 5, 1952, 22: Hawes only on opening night.. Ad in Mirror, December 18, 1952, 51: Wardell Gray Sextet featuring Ernie Royal. Ad in Mirror, December 25, 1952, 39: Wardell Gray Sextet featuring Ernie Royal. “People and Places,” Los Angeles Times, January 1, 1953, 10: New Years: Clef Club: Wardell Gray .
December 11	Jam session Including Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray. Western Knights Prince Hall, Los Angeles, CA. Dance Gordon and Gray are reported to Local 767 for a jamming engagement without report or contract.	Local 767 (LA) Musicians Protective Association report. Norman Saks Collection.
December 31	Down Beat Readers Poll 1952. Tenor sax: 1. Stan Getz 2. Flip Philips 3. 3 Lester Young 4. 4. Charlie Ventura 5. Coleman Hawkins 24. Wardell Gray	“Here Are ’52 Poll Tabulations,” Down Beat. December 31, 1952, 8.