1948 |
Wardell Gray Chronology |
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|
Created by Leif Bo Petersen |
Last updated: August 3, 2020, 2020. |
Date |
Event |
References/Further Details |
Early |
AFRS Jubilee show Benny Carter and His Orchestra. Including Wardell Gray (ts). Pete Dailey and His Chicagoans Peggy Lee Deep River Boys McCormack
General Hospital, Pasadena, CA. John Beal (mc). Material
from this show was used on AFRS Jubilee ## 276 and 284. |
R.
E. Lotz and U. Neuert, The AFRS
“Jubilee” Transcription Programs (1985), no. 284: Dates March 3, 30 or c.
May 1948. I
suggest early 1948, as the Jubilee production at McCornack seem to have
stopped early in March (“Entertainment Calendar,” Needle, March 25,
1948, 3: 19:00: AFRS Jubilee). Gray joined Goodman in March and left for New
York late in the month. See
discography for details. |
January? |
Charlie
Parker All Stars Release
of Dial 1013. 10” 78 rpm. record. Recorded
February 26, 1947. Charlie
Parker All Stars Dial
1013-A Cheers Dial
1013-B Carvin’
the Bird |
“Sing it Together,” Pittsburgh
Courier, January 17, 1948: The photo caption here mentions the record of
Dark Shadows (Dial 1014). Ad for Idessa Malone distributors, Billboard, April 3, 1948, 48: mentions this record as a “late
release.” |
January |
Billy Eckstine and His Orchestra Release of National 9041. 10” 78 rpm. record. Recorded April 21, 1947. Billy Eckstine and His Orchestra National 9041-A All of Me National 9041-B She’s Got Blues for Sale |
Advance Record Releases,” Billboard, January 17, 1948,
33. “Record Reviews,” Billboard, February 14,
1948, 120: positive review. |
February
early |
Various
Artists Release
of Dial D2. Bebop Jazz Volume Two. 3 10” 78 rpm. records albums. The
records were probably also sold as singles. Wardell
Gray only appears on Dial 1022-A. Recorded
September 21, 1946 Sonny
Berman Big Eight Dial
1020-A Moon Burns (= Nocturne) Recorded
July 29, 1946 Howard
McGhee Quartet Dial
1020-B Thermodynamics Recorded
November 4, 1947. Charlie
Parker Quintet Dial
1021-A Scrapple from the Apple Dial
1021-B Don’t Blame Me Recorded
February 26, 1947. Charlie
Parker All Stars Dial
1022-A Stupendous Dexter
Gordon Quartet Dial
1022-B Blues Bikini |
“New Popular Records,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 18, 1948,
4D: album review. Very favorable. |
February/March |
AFRS Jubilee show International All Stars Stan
Hasselgard (cl); Wardell Gray (ts); Dodo Marmarosa (p); Al Hendrickson
(el-g); prob. Harry Babasin (b); Frank Bode (Uffe Baadh) (d); Frances Wayne
(voc). Frances Wayne Pete Dailey and His Chicagoans Bill Doggett Trio McCornack
General Hospital, Pasadena, CA. Gene
Norman (mc). Material
from here was used on Jubilee #278. |
R.
E. Lotz and U. Neuert, The AFRS
“Jubilee” Transcription Programs (1985), no. 278: Dates February 9 or c.
March 1948. See
discography for details. |
March
mid |
Benny Goodman Sextet Goodman
plans to take sextet and big band into White Plains, NY, in the summer. |
“BG
to Lease Spot for W-E Full Orchestra Dates,” Billboard, March 20, 1948, 35. |
March
26 |
Just Jazz Concert Including
Benny Goodman (cl); Wardell Gray (ts); Johnny White (vib); Mel Powell (p);
Charlie Drayton (b): Billy Drayton (d); Joe Alexander (voc). Russ
Auditorium, San Diego, CA. |
“Out
of the Horn’s Mouth,” Variety
(Daily), March 25, 1948, 8: Concerts Friday and Saturday. “2
Bashes Bag 7G for Gene Norman,” Variety,
March 29, 1948, 9. |
March
27 |
Just Jazz Concert Including
Benny Goodman (cl); Wardell Gray (ts); Johnny White (vib); Mel Powell (p);
Charlie Drayton (b): Billy Drayton (d); Joe Tony
Harper (voc). Civic
Auditorium Pasadena, CA. |
“Out
of the Horn’s Mouth,” Variety
(Daily), March 25, 1948, 8: Concerts Friday and Saturday. “2
Bashes Bag 7G for Gene Norman,” Variety,
March 29, 1948, 9. “Toni
Harper Scores in Norman’s Jazz Bash,” Pittsburgh Courier, April 10,
1948, 1: review. |
April |
Wardell Gray Quartet Wardell Gray (ts); Al Haig (p); Clyde Lombardi (b);
Tiny Kahn (d). Unidentified
studio, New York, NY. Commercial
recordings for Sittin’ In With. |
For
details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
May |
J. C. Heard and His Orchestra Joe Newman (tp); Bennie Green (tb); Wardell Gray
(ts); Tate Houston (bar); Al Haig (p); Al McKibbon (b); J.C. Heard (d). Unidentified
studio, New York, NY. Commercial
recordings for Apollo. |
For
details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
May
early |
Benny Goodman Septet NYC. Goodman
starts rehearsing a septet including Wardell Gray and Stan Hasselgard. |
D.
Russell Connor, Benny Goodman – Listen
to His Legacy (1988), 191. |
May
10 |
Benny Goodman Septet Including
Teddy Wilson, Wardell Gray, Joe Bushkin, and Muriel Jayne (voc) Carnegie
Hall, New York, NY. The
planned concert was cancelled 4 days before the date because trouble putting
together a suitable combo and also lacking ticket sales |
“Benny
Back,” Daily News, April 28, 1948, 51: Benny Goodman concert at
Carnegie Hall planned. “BG’s
Carnegie Date Cancelled,” Billboard,
May 15, 1948, 4. |
May
24 |
Benny Goodman Septet Benny
Goodman, Stan Hasselgard (cl); Wardell Gray (ts); Teddy Wilson (p); Billy
Bauer (el-g); Arnold Fishkin (b); Mel Zelnick (d); Patti Page (voc). Click
Restaurant, Philadelphia, PA. May
24–June 6. WCAU
(CBS) and KYW (NBC) had broadcasts during most of the engagement. Recordings
exist. |
“Click
Roster,” Billboard, March 13, 1948,
17. “BG’s
Carnegie Date Cancelled,” Billboard,
May 15, 1948, 4. “Radio
Features on the Air Today,” Philadelphia Inquirer, May 24, 1948, 23:
KYW (NBC): 12:05–12:25 am: Benny Goodman. “Radio
Features on the Air Today,” Philadelphia Inquirer, May 27, 1948, 29: 11:30–12:00:
WCAU (CBS): Benny Goodman. “Radio
Features on the Air Today,” Philadelphia Inquirer, May 28, 1948, 29:
12:00–12:30: WCAU (CBS): Benny Goodman. “Radio
Features on the Air Today,” Philadelphia Inquirer, May 29, 1948, 15: KWCAU
(CBS): 4:00–4:45 pm.: Spotlight show (maybe a Goodman show.) “Radio
Features on the Air Today,” Philadelphia Inquirer, May 29, 1948, 15:
KYW (NBC): 12:05–12:30 am. “Radio Features on the Air Today,” Philadelphia
Inquirer, May 31, 1948, 17: KYW (NBC): 12:05–12:30 am: Benny Goodman. “Radio Features on the Air Today,” Philadelphia
Inquirer, June 3, 1948, 27: 11:30–12:00: WCAU (CBS): Benny Goodman. “Radio
Features on the Air Today,” Philadelphia Inquirer, June 4, 1948, 31:
12:05–12:30: WCAU (CBS): Benny Goodman. “Radio
Features on the Air Today,” Philadelphia Inquirer, June 5, 1948, 15:
KWCAU (CBS): 4:00–4:45 pm.: Spotlight show (maybe a Goodman show.) “Radio
Features on the Air Today,” Philadelphia Inquirer, June 5, 1948, 15:
12:05–12:30: KYW (NBC): Benny Goodman. For
details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
June |
Wardell Gray Royal
Roost, New York, NY. June–August. Wardell
Gray is reported sitting in here. |
Claus
Dahlgren: Mitt i Be-bopnästet,” Orkester Journalen, August 1948, 11. |
June 18 |
Benny Goodman Septet Red
Rodney (tp); Benny Goodman, Stan Hasselgard (cl); Wardell Gray (ts); Teddy
Wilson (p); Bill Bauer (el-g); Arnold Fishkin (b); Mel Zelnick (d); Patti Page,
Jackie Searle (voc). Local Band Unidentified
personnel. Westchester
Community Center, White Plains, NY. June
18–19. Ted
Husing, Fred Robbins (mc). |
Ad
in Dobbs Ferry
Register, Friday, June 18, 1948, 5: Opening tonight. “Ben Goodman Dance Series at Center,” Dobbs Ferry Register, Friday,
June 25, 1948, 7: Series of weekend concerts opened June 18. “Bop-Styled
BG Septet Stars All but Goodman,” Down
Beat, July 14, 1948, 6: Review on opening night. G.
Hoefer, “Benny and the Boppers,” Down
Beat, July 26, 1966, 22: The engagement covered 3 weekends. |
June
25 |
Benny Goodman Septet Benny
Goodman, Stan Hasselgard (cl); Wardell Gray (ts); Mary Lou Williams, Bill
Bauer (el-g); Clyde Lombardi (b); Mel Zelnick (d); Jackie
Searle; Dolly Houston (voc). Teddy Wilson appears as a guest. Red Rodney (tp) and Babs Gonzales are
also reported appearing in this or the following dances. Also
on the bill: Ronny Rommel’s band. Westchester
Community Center, White Plains, NY. June
25–26. Fred
Robbins (mc). June
26: WNEW
broadcast: 8–8:30 p.m. Glen Adams (mc). Recordings
exist. |
Ad
in Dobbs Ferry Register, Friday,
June 25, 1948, 5. “Ronny
With Goodman,” Bridgeport Telegram,
June 25, 65. ”Music–As
Written,” Billboard, June 19, 1948,
21: An amateur contest is held in Connecticut in order to find a vocalist for
the June 25–26 performance. ”Music–As
Written,” Billboard, July 3, 1948,
36: Broadcasts are starting June 26. “The
Radio Today,” New York Times, June 26, 1948, 30: WNEW 8:00–8:30 pm:
Benny Goodman Show (premiere). For
details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
July |
Wardell
Gray & Vido Musso Release
of Modern Music 20-611. 10” 78 rpm. record. Recorded
December 27, 1947. Wardell
Gray & Vido Musso Modern
Music 20-611 A Sweet Georgia Bop Modern
Music 20-611 A Sweet Georgia Brown |
“Record Reviews,” Billboard, July 31,
1948 167: friendly review. “Most
Played Juke Box Records,” Billboard, January 8, 1949, 25: Number 18. “Records
Most Played by Disc Jockeys,” Billboard, January 8, 1949, 90: Number
28. “Most
Played Juke Box Records,” Billboard, February 5, 1949, 29: Number 14. “Records
Most Played by Disc Jockeys,” Billboard, February 5, 1949, 105: Number
29. “Most
Played Juke Box Records,” Billboard, February 26, 1949, 34: Number 14. “Best-selling
Popular retail Records,” Billboard, February 26, 1949, 32: Number 16. |
July |
Billy Eckstine Release of National 9049. 10” 78 rpm. record. Wardell Gray does not appear on 9049-B. Recorded April 21, 1947. Billy Eckstine and His Orchestra National 9049-A Sophisticated
Lady Recorded January 3, 1946. Billy Eckstine and His Orchestra National 9049-B Jitney Man |
Advance Record Releases,” Billboard,
July 3, 1948, 35. |
July
3 |
Benny Goodman Septet Benny
Goodman, Stan Hasselgard (cl); Wardell Gray (ts); Mary Lou Williams, Teddy
Wilson (p); Bill Bauer (g); Clyde Lombardi (b); Mel Zelnick (d); Jackie
Searle; Dolly Houston (voc). Westchester
Community Center, White Plains, NY. July
3–4. July
3: WNEW
broadcast 8–8:30 p.m. Glen Adams (mc). Recordings
exist. |
“On the Radio Today,” New York Times, July 3, 1948, 26: WNEW 8:00 –8:30 pm: Benny
Goodman Show.” For
details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
July
10 |
Benny Goodman Septet Westchester
Community Center, White Plains, NY. July
10–11. July
10: WNEW
broadcast 8–8:30 p.m. Glen Adams (mc). Recordings
exist. |
“On the Radio Today,” New York Times, July 10, 1948, 26: WNEW 8:00 –8:30 pm: Benny
Goodman Show.” For
details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
July
16 |
Freddie Slack and His Band Probably
including: Red Rodney (tp); Wardell Gray (ts); Paul Lopez
(tp); Jimmy Knepper (tb); Hank Horn (as & bs); Freddie (p & dir);
Darryl Homer (g); Paul Moresy (b); Maynard Sloate (d), a. o. June
Richmond Eddie
“Lockjaw” Davis Quartet Apollo Theater, New York, NY. July 16–22. |
Ad in New York
Age, July 17, 1948, 6. Maynard Sloate interviewed by Tate Swindell, June
2013: Slack hired Rodney and Gray especially for the Apollo engagement. Gray
also participated in a Slack riverboat engagement in the Washington, DC. Area
in this period. |
July
24 |
Freddie Slack and His Orchestra SS Potomac, Washington, DC. Riverboat cruise. 9:45 pm–12:00 am. |
“Tchaikovsky’s Surely spinning,”, Washington Post,
July 24, 1948, 12. Maynard Sloate interviewed by Tate Swindell, June
2013: Wardell Gray also participated in a Slack riverboat engagement in the
Washington, DC. |
August
early/ mid |
Tadd Dameron And His Orchestra Allen Eager (ts); Tadd Dameron (p);
Curly Russell (b); Kenny Clarke WMCA broadcast, Saturday, August 7,
14 or 21, 3—4 a.m. (Saturday after midnight). Recordings exist. |
Looking and
Listening,” Daily News, August 5, 1948, 19C: Regular WMCA transmissions
with Eckstine, Ventura, and Dameron start on Saturday, August 7, 3—4 a.m These
recordings are sometimes dated September 1948, and believed to be from the
period where Wardell Gray appeared with Basie at the Roost, but the Dameron
band was not on the bill during the Basie tenancy at the Roost. For
details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
August
20 |
Benny Goodman Sextet Benny Goodman (cl, dir); Wardell Gray (ts); Mary Lou
Williams (p); Billy Bauer (el-g); Clyde Lombardi (b); Mel Zelnick (d); Jackie
Searle (voc). WOR
Guild Theatre Playhouse, New York, NY. Recording
session for V-disc. |
For
details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
August
28 |
Benny Goodman Sextet Ling Ridge Firemen’s Bazaar, Stamford, CT. WSTC broadcast 9:30–10 pm. |
“WSTC to air
Program with Benny Goodman at Ling Ridge Bazaar,” Stamford Advocate,
August 27, 1948., 18: Mentions the
sextet including Wardell Gray. WSTC ad in Stamford Advocate, August 28,
1948., 9. Vocal by Jackie Soule [sic]; featuring Mayr Lou Williams. |
September? |
Dexter Gordon/Wardell Gray Release
of Dial 1017. 10” 78 rpm. record. Recorded June 12, 1947. Dexter Gordon/Wardell Gray Dial 1017-A The Chase
part one Dial 1017-B The Chase
part two |
Ad
for McClister Electronics, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, September 5, 1948, sec.
2, 3. Record
Reviews,” Billboard, January 29, 1949, 104: very positive review.
States Wardell Gray as winner of the duel. |
September? |
Various
artists Probably
release of BOP 101-102, !04–105. 10” 78 rpm. records. Wardell
Gray is heard in ensemble riffs, and he chases with Dexter Gordon in The Hunt
part 5– 8. Recorded
July 6, 1947. BOP
101 A Dexter Gordon & Wardell Gray
blowing The Hunt part 5 BOP
101 B Dexter Gordon & Wardell Gray
blowing The Hunt part 6 BOP
102 A Dexter Gordon & Wardell Gray
blowing The Hunt part 7 BOP
102 B Dexter Gordon & Wardell Gray
blowing The Hunt part 8 BOP
104 A Howard McGhee Blowing The Hunt part 1 BOP
104 B Sonny Kriss
[sic] blowing The Hunt part 2 BOP
105 A Trummy Young blowing The Hunt part 3 BOP
105 B Barney Kessel blowing The Hunt part 4 |
Ad
for McClister Electronics, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, September 5, 1948, sec.
2, 3. Ad
for Hawaii Music Stores, Honolulu Advertiser, October 22, 1948, 3: The Hunt
in 10 parts. |
September
9 |
Benny Goodman Septet Benny Goodman (cl, dir); Fats Navarro (tp); Wardell
Gray (ts); Mundell Lowe (el-g); Gene DiNovi (p); Clyde Lombardi (b); Mel
Zelnick (d). Capitol
Studios, New York, NY. Benefit
recording for Capitol. |
R.
Firestone, Swing, Swing, Swing (1993), 346. L. Dahl, Morning Glory (1999), 200–201:
dates September 8. For further details see L. B. Petersen
and T. Rehak, Infatuation - The Music and Life of Theodore
"Fats" Navarro (2009), 208, 219–20. For
details see also: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
September
9 |
Count Basie
Orchestra Clark Terry,
Jimmy Nottingham, Harry Edison, Emmett Berry (tp); Bill Johnson, George
Matthews, Ted Donnelly, Dickie Wells (tb); Bernie
Peacock (as); Earl Warren (as, voc); Wardell Gray, Paul Gonsalves (ts); Jack
Washington (bar); Count Basie (p, dir); Green (g); Singleton “Cookie” Palmer
(b); Shadow Wilson (d); Jimmy Rushing (voc). (September
7—29). Dinah
Washington (voc) acc.
by Beryl Booker and the Count Basie orchestra. (September
9—16.) Anita O’Day (voc) acc.
by Lou Stein and the Count Basie orchestra. (September
23—29). Miles Davis
Quintet and Nonet Miles Davis
(tp); Michael Zwerin (tb); Junior Collins (frh); Bill Barber (tu); Lee Konitz
(as); Gerry Mulligan (bars); John Lewis (p & arr); Al McKibbon (b); Max
Roach (d); Kenny Hagood (voc); Gil Evans (arr). (September
7—24). Tadd Dameron
and His Orchestra Fats Navarro
(tp); Rudy Williams (as); Allen Eager (ts); Tadd Dameron (p); Curley Russell
(b); Kenny Clarke (d). (September
25—29). Royal Roost,
New York, NY. September
11, 18, and 25: WMCA
broadcasts; 3:00—4:00 am. Part of the
Friday night-Saturday morning Symphony Sid Show Symphony Sid
(mc). Recordings
exist. September
14, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, and 28: Mutual
Network (MBS). (some of
these may be identical). Recordings
exist. The material used in the AFRS Just Jazz ##21—22 and
the AFRS Jubilee ## 310 and 329 probably comes from these broadcasts. |
Ad
in Daily News, September 9, 1948, 74. “From Ted Lewis to Diz, Gotham Stirs Itself, Shows Life.” Down
Beat, 6 October 1948:1: Has a review and the personnel of Basie at the
Roost. Goings on About Town: Royal Roost,” New
Yorker, October 30, 1948, 4. “Dinah Washington Is Hailed on Broadway,” Chicago Defender
(Nat. ed.), September 11, 1948, 8: Washington opened Tuesday for 10 days. “Where They Are Playing,” Chicago Defender (Nat. ed.), September
18, 1948, 9: Washington at Royal, Baltimore September 17-23. “Night Life,” Brooklyn Eagle,
September 21, 1948, 5: Anita O’Day into the Roost on Thursday, Basie remains.
According to Anita O’Day’s memoirs she opened at the Roost opposite Basie and
Dameron (A. O’Day and G. Eells, High Times Hard Times (1982), 150–52).
On September 18 Symphony Sid also announces O’Day, and Dameron for the next
week. However, the surviving
broadcasts from September 25 do not have Tadd Dameron, but instead Miles
Davis Quintet and Kenny Hagood. “Radio Programs,” Daily News, September 14, 1948, 48:
WOR: 11:30: Count Basie. 12:00: News. Barron. “Radio
Programs,” Daily News, September
17, 1948, 56: WOR: 1:00: News. Count Basie. 1:30: Lawrence. “Radio
programs,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle,
September 18, 1949, 13: WOR: 12:00: News. Count Basie. 12:30. Lawrence. “Radio
Programs,” Daily News, September
21, 1948, 56: WOR: 11:30 Count Basie.
12:00: News. Moreno. “Radio
Programs,” Daily News, September
24, 1948, 56: WOR: 1:00: News. Count Basie. 1:30: Lawrence. “Radio
Programs,” Daily News, September
25, 1948, 27: WOR: 12:00: News. Count Basie 12:30: Lawrence. “Radio
Programs,” Daily News, September
28, 1948, 27: WOR: 11:30 Count Basie: 12:00:
News. Moreno. R.
Firestone, Swing, Swing, Swing (1993), 346. L. Dahl, Morning Glory (1999), 200–201:
dates September 8. For further details see L. B. Petersen
and T. Rehak, Infatuation - The Music and Life of Theodore
"Fats" Navarro (2009), 208, 219–20. For
details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
September
13 |
Tadd Dameron And His Orchestra Fats Navarro (tp); Allen Eager, Wardell Gray (ts);
Tadd Dameron (p, arr); Curley Russell (b); Kenny Clarke (d); Chino Pozo
(bgo); Kenny Hagood (voc). WOR
Studios, New York, NY. Commercial
recordings for Blue Note. |
For
details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
September
17 |
Salute to WMGM Benny Goodman Sextet Benny Goodman (cl); Wardell Gray (ts); Gene DiNovi
(p); Billy Bauer (el-g); Clyde Lombardi (b); Mel Zelnick (d). Also
appearing in this program: Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, and others. WMGM
broadcast: 8 p.m.: Salute to WMGM – Salute by Recording Artists.” Ted Husing
(mc). Recordings
exist. |
“Radio
programs,” Brooklyn Eagle, September 17, 1948, 27. For
details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
September
23 |
Count
Basie Orchestra (Basie
may have stopped before September 29[i]). Miles
Davis Quintet Miles
Davis (tp); Lee Konitz (as); John Lewis (p); Curley Russell (b); Max Roach
(d). (This
group may just have been subbing for the Dameron group on the Friday). Tadd
Dameron Orchestra Fats
Navarro (tp); Rudy Williams (as)?; Allen Eager; Tadd Dameron (p); Curley
Russell (b); Kenny Clarke (d). Anita O’Day (voc), acc. by Lou Stein (p), and by
Count Basie’s orchestra. All
Star Band J.
J. Johnson (tb); Wardell Gray, Dexter Gordon (ts); Milt Jackson (vib); Lou
Stein (p); Al Lucas (b); Max Roach (d). (probably only the last Wednesday). Royal Roost, New York, NY. September 23–29. September 25
(Friday after midnight): Roost transmission in WMCA broadcast: Symphony
Sid. Surviving
recordings with Basie, the Davis group, and Anita O’Day exist. |
"Night Life," Brooklyn
Eagle, September 21, 1948, 5: Anita O’Day into the Roost on Thursday,
Basie remains. According to Anita O’Day’s memoirs she opened at the Roost
opposite Basie and Dameron (A. O’Day and G. Eells, High Times Hard Times
(1982), 150—52). On September 18 Symphony Sid also announces O’Day, and
Dameron for the next week. However,
the surviving broadcasts from September 25 do not have Tadd Dameron, but
instead Miles Davis Quintet and Kenny Hagood. http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=480925 For further details see L. B. Petersen
and T. Rehak, Infatuation - The Music and Life of Theodore
"Fats" Navarro (2009), 209—10. Gunther visited the Roost on
Wednesday, September 29. In his diary he reports the Dameron group without
Rudy Williams, the all-star group, and Anita O’Day. No mention of Basie
(information from his son George Schuller). For
details see also: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
September
26 |
Symphony
Sid's Bop Concert Fats Navarro
(tp); Benny Green (tb); Stan Hasselgard (cl); Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray,
Allen Eager (ts); Milt Jackson (vib); Lou Stein, Tadd Dameron (p), Curley
Russell, Al McKibbon (b), Kenny Clarke, Max Roach (d). Lou Stein
replaced the announced Roy Kral. Royal Roost,
New York, NY. 4—8 p.m. |
Symphony Sid
announcement in broadcast on September 18, 1948. Handbill: Handwritten notes on handbill: Lou Stein
instead of Roy Kral; Stan Hasselgard is added (Lars Westin collection). |
October
24 |
Symphony
Sid's Bop Concert Including:
Fats Navarro?, Howard McGhee (tp); Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray? (ts): Lennie Tristano’s
All Stars Royal Roost,
New York, NY. 4—8 p.m. |
Symphony Sid announcement in broadcast on October
23, 1948. Gunther
Schuller visited the Roost this afternoon. In his diary he reports the
Tristano group and the Dameron sextet featuring Howard McGhee and Dexter
Gordon. No mention of Navarro and Wardell Gray (information from his son
George Schuller). |
October
24 |
Benny Goodman Quintet Including Wardell Gray? Ink Spots Franklin and Moore CBS TV-studio, New York, NY. CBS TV show: Toast of the Town. 9.00–10:00 p.m. Ed Sullivan (mc). |
“Sunday’s Radio Features: Television Features,” Daily News,
October 24, 1948, 39C: WCBS: 9:00–10:00 p.m.: Ed Sullivan’s Toast of the
Town. “Benny Goodman Crew on Television Show,” California Eagle,
October 28, 17: Benny Goodman and his instrumental quintet and the
ever-favorite Ink Spots, singing quartet, head the talent roster on Ed
Sullivan's star-spangled "Toast of the Town" over the CBS
Television Network, Sunday, Oct. 24. |
October
late |
Jam session Elate
Ballroom, Philadelphia, PA. Dexter
Gordon and Wardell Gray were engaged, but they did not show up. Babs Gonzales
was late. |
“Promoters
Out of Luck - and Green Stuff,” Billboard,
December 4, 1948, 18. |
October
late |
Benny Goodman Orchestra Wardell
Gray joins Benny Goodman for rehearsals. |
“Goodman Plans Tour for New Band,” Down Beat, October 20, 1948, 1: states 2 weeks of rehearsals and
start of touring early November. |
November? |
Various artists Release
of BOP 107–10. 10” 78 rpm. records. Wardell
Gray is heard in the themes and background riffs. He solos on Bopera part 2. BOP
11O B is from another performance. Recorded
July 6, 1947. BOP
107 A Trummy Young blowing Bopera part 1 BOP
107 B Wardell Gray blowing Bopera part 2 BOP
108 A Howard McGhee Blowing Bopera part 3 BOP
108 B Sonny Criss blowing Bopera part 4 BOP
109 A Dexter Gordon blowing Bopera part 5 BOP
109 B Barney Kessel blowing Bopera part 6 BOP
110 A Hampton Hawes blowing Bopera part 7 BOP
110 B Bill Moore Unfinished Bopera |
|
November? |
Various artists Release
of BOP 111–114. 10” 78 rpm. records. Wardell
Gray is heard in ensembles and solos on Jeronimo part 8. Recorded
July 6, 1947. Howard
McGhee Orchestra BOP
111-A Featuring
Trummy Young Jeronimo part 1 BOP
111-B Featuring
Barney Kessel Jeronimo part 2 BOP
112-A Featuring
Barney Kessel and Sonny Kriss [sic] Jeronimo part 3 BOP
112-B Featuring
Sonny Criss Jeronimo part 4 BOP
113-A Featuring
Dexter Gordon Jeronimo part 5 BOP
113-B Featuring
Dexter Gordon Jeronimo part 6 BOP
114-A Featuring
Dexter Gordon Jeronimo part 7 BOP
114-B Featuring
Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray Jeronimo part 8 |
|
November |
J.
C. Heard and His Orchestra Release
of Apollo 783. 10” 78 rpm. record. Recorded
May 1948. J.
C. Heard and His Orchestra Apollo
783 A Ollopa Apollo
783 B This is it |
“Record
Reviews: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, November 13 ,1948, 112: positive
review. “Advance Race Records Releases,” Billboard, December 4
,1948, 34. |
November
4 |
Babs Gonzales and 3 Bips and Bop Wardell Gray Earl Coleman Polish
Hall, Jamaica, Long Island, NY. Concert
and Dance |
“Babs Gonzales Appears in Jamaica Friday,” New York Age, November 6, 1948, 5. |
November
12 |
Buddy Stewart Quintet Eddie Bert (tb); Wardell Gray (ts); Buddy Greco (p);
Gene Ramey (b); Charlie Perry (d); Buddy Stewart (voc). Unidentified
studio, New York, NY. Commercial
recordings for Sittin’ in with. |
See
discography for details. |
November
mid |
Various artists Release
of Capitol CC 106. Giants of Jazz. 10”
78 rpm. 3 records album. Wardell
Gray appear only on Capitol 10173-Z (Stealin’
Apples) Golden
Gate Quartet – Jeri Sullivan – The Brazilians – Benny Goodman – Tommy Dorsey
– Charlie Barnet – Louis Armstrong – Mel Powell and Orchestra. From
the soundtrack of the movie A Song Is
Born. Capitol
10172-Y A Song Was Born Part One Capitol
10172-Z A Song Was Born Part Two Mel
Powell Septet From
the soundtrack of the movie A Song Is
Born Capitol
10173-Y Muskrat Ramble Benny
Goodman Septet Recorded
September 9, 1948. Capitol
10173-Z Stealin’ Apples Charlie
Barnet and His Orchestra Recorded
August 8, 1948. From
the soundtrack of the movie A Song Is
Born Capitol
10174-Y The Redskin Rhumba Page
Cavanaugh Trio with Jerri Sullivan Recorded
1948. From
the soundtrack of the movie A Song Is
Born Capitol
10174-Z Daddy-O |
“Advance Record Releases:
Hot Jazz,” Billboard, November 20,1
948, 110. New Popular Records,” St.
Louis Post-Dispatch, November 23, 4D: favorable review. “Album
reviews,” Billboard, December 18,1
948, 39. |
November
19 |
Woody
Herman and His Orchestra Stan
Fishelson, Bernie Glow, Irving” Marky” Markowitz, Shorty Rogers, Ernie Royal
(tp); Bill Harris, Earl Swope, Ollie Wilson (tb); Bob Swift (b-tb); Woody
Herman (cl, as, voc, dir); Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Sam Marowitz (ts);
Serge Chaloff (bars); Terry Gibbs (vib); Lou Levy (p); Chubby Jackson (b); Don Lamond (d); Mary
Ann McCall (voc). Red Rodney replaced Marky Markowitz the first week of
November. Tadd
Dameron Orchestra Red Rodney (tp); Wardell Gray (ts); Tadd Dameron (p, arr);
Curley Russell (b); Kenny Clarke (d). Royal Roost, New York, NY. |
Gunther Schuller visited the Roost on November 19. In his diary
he reports the Herman Orchestra and the Dameron group including Red Rodney
and Wardell Gray. No mention of Allen Eager and Kai Winding (information from
his son George Schuller). |
November
late |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Howard Reich, Doug Mettome, Al Stewart (Al
Goldberg), Nick Travis (tp); Milt Bernhart, Eddie Bert, George Monte (tb);
Benny Goodman (cl, dir); Mitch Goldberg, Angelo Cicalese (as); Wardell Gray,
Eddie Wasserman (ts); Larry Molinelli (bar); Buddy Greco (p, voc); Francis
Beecher (g); Clyde Lombardi (b); Sonny Igoe (d); Terry Swope (voc). Benny Goodman Sextet Benny Goodman, Wardell Gray, and rhythm. The Clarinaders: 5 pieces
including Buddy Greco and Terry Swope (voc), and rhythm. Tad Dameron, Chico O’Farrill (arr). |
“MCA
Inks B. G.; Ends Guessing,” Billboard,
October 2, 1948, 22. D.
Russell Connor, Benny Goodman – Listen
to His Legacy (1988), 193. |
November
22 |
Peggy Lee Andy Russell Jo Stafford Nat King Cole Trio Benny
Goodman and His Orchestra Paul Weston and His Orchestra Frank De Val and His Orchestra Bob Hope (mc). Albany, NY. Broadcasts by WABY at 8:30 pm. Opening of the Annual Christmas Seal campaign. Albany County Tuberculosis Association (prod). |
“WABY
Show to open City Seal Campaign,” Knickerbocker News, November 22,
1948, 6-B |
November
24 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Armory, Scranton, PA. Cancelled. |
Ad
in Times-Tribune, November 24, 1948, 13: Concert cancelled due to
re-routing of the band. |
November
25 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Roseland,
Johnstown, PA. |
Ad in Daily American (Somerset, PA), November
24, 1948, 6. |
November
26 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Arena,
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. |
Ad
in Niagara Falls Gazette, November
26, 1948, 32. |
November
27 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Erie,
PA. |
“Here Tonight,” Fitchburg Sentinel, December
6, 1948. “Erie
1-Nighters Total loss to All,” Billboard,
January 15, 1949, 22. |
November
28 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra The
Elms, Youngstown, OH. |
Ad in Youngstown Vindicator, November 28,
1948, C 21. |
November
30 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Persian
Terrace, Hotel Syracuse, Syracuse, NY. November
30–December 4 December
1, 2, and 5: NBC broadcasts: probably the day before after midnight. Recordings
exist. |
Ad
in Post-Standard, December 1, 1948, 9. “B.
G. Unveils Exciting New Band, Wows Hotel Syracuse,” Billboard, December 11, 1948, 17. M.
Levin. “Notes between Notes,” Down Beat,
January 14, 1949, 23: Review. I
have not been able to verify the broadcasts in the press, probably because
they were sent after midnight. See
discography for details. |
December/January
mid |
Al Haig Quintet Wardell Gray (ts); Al Haig (p); Jimmy Raney (el-g);
Tommy Potter (b); Charlie Perry (d); Terry Swope (voc). Unidentified
studio, New York, NY. Commercial
recordings for Seeco. |
Al
Haig and Tommy Potter toured with JATP in this period, returning to the New
York area around the beginning of December. For
details see also: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
December
5 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Victory Theater, Holyoke, MA. |
“Here Tonight,” Fitchburg Sentinel, December
6, 1948. |
December
6 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Fitchburg
Sports Arena, Fitchburg, MA. |
“Here Tonight,” Fitchburg Sentinel, December
6, 1948. Ad in Fitchburg Sentinel, December 6, 1948, 2. |
December
7 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet
Ballroom. Providence, RI. |
“Here Tonight,” Fitchburg Sentinel, December
6, 1948. D. Salemann, Wardell Gray 1921-1955 Discography
(1986), 22. |
December
8 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Totem
Pole, Norumbega Park, Newton, MA. |
Ad in Boston Globe, December 8 1948, 17. |
December
10 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Buster West Lucille Page Peiro Bros State
Theater, Hartford, CT. December
10–12. Rehearsing
a new show concept centered on the story of the Goodman band. |
Ad
in Hartford Courant, December 10, 1948, 22. “Benny
Goodman Heads Strong Bill on State Stage,” Hartford Courant, December
11, 1948, 16. “BG
Preparing New Type Band Theater Show,” Billboard,
December 18, 1948, 20. |
December
15 |
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Benny
Goodman (cl, dir); Howard Reich, Doug Mettome, Al Stewart, Nick Travis (tp);
Milt Bernhart, Eddie Bert, George Monte (tb); Mitch Goldberg, Angelo Cicalese
(as); Wardell Gray, Eddie Wasserman (ts); Larry Molinelli (bar); Buddy Greco
(p, voc); Francis Beecher (g); Clyde Lombardi (b); Sonny Igoe (d); Terry
Swope. Benny Goodman Sextet Benny
Goodman, Wardell Gray, and the Rhythm. The Clarinaders 5
vocals including Buddy Greco and Terry Swope Buddy Lester Comedian. Peiro Bros Jugglers. Paramount
Theater, New YORK, NY. December
15, 1948–January 11, 1949. The press reported that Goodman suffered from severe
illness at the end of the Paramount gig. Gene Krupa was called in to lead the
band the last days. |
Ad
in Daily News, December 14, 1948, 80. “Vaudeville
Reviews: Paramount, New York,” Billboard,
December 25, 1948, 42: Review on December 15. “BG
Takes Stage Shows in Hand; Pulls a Switch,” Down Beat, January 14,
1949, 3: Review. Ad
in New York Times, January 11,
1949, 35: Has new show opening January 12. “Orkesters Say Theaters Stifle Innovations; Goodman’s
Gripe,” Billboard, February 12,
1949, 18. “Fever
Hits Goodman; Doctor Orders Rest,” Billboard,
January 29, 1949, 36. D.
Russell Connor, Benny Goodman – Listen
to His Legacy (1988), 194. |
December
mid |
1949 March of Dimes Benny Goodman Orchestra Columbia
Studios, Liederkranz Hall, New York, NY Recording
of electrical transcription (ET), for benefit broadcasting for the March
of Dimes. Recordings
exist. |
See
discography for details. |