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1951 |
Wardell
Gray Chronology |
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Created by Leif
Bo Petersen |
Last updated August
2, 2020. |
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Date |
Event |
References/Further Details |
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Unidentified
date 1951 |
Various Artists Release of MOD 2012. Modern vol. 12: Gene Norman’s Just Jazz 10” 33 rpm. LP Reissue of Modern Music 20-622, and
20-623 Modern Records Hollywood 20-622. Recorded December 27, 1947 Gene Norman’s Just Jazz Concerts vol. 12 Modern 2012 side 1 Just You Just Me Modern 2012 side 2 Sweet Georgia Bop |
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January 1 |
Count Basie Septet Clark Terry (tp); Wardell Gray (ts); Marshall
Royal (cl); Count Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b); Gus Johnson
(d). Brass Rail, Chicago, IL. December 6, 1950–January 16., 1951. |
“Chicago Band Briefs,” Down Beat, December 1, 1950, 4.C. “2
Jazz Favorites Return to Chicago,” Chicago Sun-Times, December 7,
1950, sec. 2, 6: Starting Wednesday. C. Sheridan, Count Basie –A Bio-Discography (1986), 1127. |
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January 19 |
Count Basie Al -Star Sextette Clark Terry (tp); Wardell Gray (ts);
Rudy Rutherford (cl, bars); Count Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis
(b); Gus Johnson (d). Big Joe Turner (voc) Crip Heard (tap dance) Rose Mitchell (voc) Club Juana, Detroit, MI. January 19–28. |
“You Must Be 21,” Detroit Times,
January 18, 1951, 21-C: opening tomorrow. Ad in Detroit Times, January 20,
1951, part 4, 7. Ad in Detroit Times, January 24,
1951, C-29: Last 5 days. |
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February 1 |
Count Basie Orchestra Probably: Clark Terry (tp); Marshall
Royal (cl, as); Wardell Gray (ts); Count Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Jimmy
Lewis (b); Gus Johnson (d). Claire Hogan (voc) Len Howard Orchestra (7 pieces) Madcaps (2 vocals) The Appletons (3 dance) Neil Stanley (impressionist). Seville,
Montreal, Quebec, Canada. February 1–7. |
Ad in Gazette (Montreal, Quebec,
Canada), February 1, 1950, 12. “House Reviews: Seville, Montreal,” Variety, February 7, 1951, 54:
Reviewed on February 2: Mentions Marshall Royal as newcomer (as-solo) and
Jimmy Lewis (b-solo). Ad in Gazette (Montreal, Quebec,
Canada), February 7, 1950, 11: Last Day. “Marshall Royal Joins the Count,” Down
Beat, March 23, 1: Marshall Royal replaced Rutherford. |
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February 20 |
Count Basie Septet Clark Terry (tp); Wardell Gray (ts);
Marshall Royal (cl, as); Count Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b);
Gus Johnson (d). Rodney Sturgis Club Harlem,
Philadelphia, PA. February 20–26. |
Ad in Philadelphia Inquirer,
February 20, 1950, 20: Now appearing
Basie. Ad in Philadelphia Inquirer,
February 27, 1950, 27: Now appearing Paul Williams. |
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March 5 |
Count Basie Septet Clark Terry (tp); Wardell Gray (ts);
Marshall Royal (cl, as); Count Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b);
Gus Johnson (d). Colonial Theatre, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada. Colonial Theatre, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada. March 5–18. |
“Toronto Spots Pitch Names,” Billboard,
January 13, 1951, 41. C. Sheridan, Count Basie–A Bio-Discography (1986), 1127. |
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March 30 |
Count Basie and His Orchestra 16 pieces. Probably: Lamar wright, Al
Porcino, Clark Terry, Robert Mitchell (tp); Booty Wood, Leon Comegys, Matthew
Gee (tb); Marshall Royal, Ruben Philips (as); Wardell Gray, Lucky Thompson
(ts); Charlie Fowlkes (bars); Count Basie (p), Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis
(b), Gus Johnson (dr). Herman Chittison Trio Bill Bailey (tap dance) Joe Turner (voc) Irene Williams (voc) Rose Hardaway (dance) Norma Miller Dancers (10 girls, 5 males) Pigmeat Markham & Co. Apollo, New York, NY. March 30–April 5. |
Ad in New York Age, March 31, 1951, 15 (Basie’s orchestra is missing in
the ad). “’1 One O’clock
Jump’ Basie at Apollo,” New York Age, March 31, 1951, 17. “House Reviews: Apollo. N.Y.,” Variety, February 7, 1951, 47:
Reviewed on opening night, March 30. |
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April early |
Count Basie and His Orchestra Probably: Lamar Wright, Al Porcino,
Clark Terry, Robert Mitchell (tp); Booty Wood, Leon Comegys, Matthew Gee
(tb); Marshall Royal, Ruben Philips (as); Wardell Gray, Lucky Thompson (ts);
Charlie Fowlkes (bars); Count Basie (p), Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b),
Gus Johnson (dr). A couple of one-niters. |
“Rhythm and Blues Notes,” Billboard, April 7, 1951, 36. |
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April early |
Count Basie Septet Clark Terry (tp); Wardell Gray (ts);
Count Basie (p), Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b), Gus Johnson (dr). April 20, 1951: WNEW broadcast. New
York, NY: Stars on Parade. Recordings exist. This broadcast was probably
pre-recorded. |
For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
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April 7 |
Count Basie and His Orchestra Probably: Lamar Wright, Al Porcino,
Clark Terry, Robert Mitchell (tp); Booty Wood, Leon Comegys, Matthew Gee
(tb); Marshall Royal, Ruben Philips (as); Wardell Gray, Lucky Thompson (ts);
Charlie Fowlkes (bars); Count Basie (p), Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b),
Gus Johnson (dr). Arcadia Ballroom, Providence, RI. |
Ad in Providence Journal, April 7
1951, 20. |
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April 12? |
Jam session Probably: Charlie Parker
(as); Bill Wellington (ts); Wardell Gray (ts); Nat Pierce (p); Jack Lawlor
(b); Joe MacDonald (d). Christy's, Framingham, MA. Probably April 12, 1951,
early morning (April 11 after midnight). Recordings exist. |
B. Blumenthal, Liner notes
in booklet to the CD: Charlie Parker in
Boston, 1952, Uptown UPCD 27.42 (1996), 24: Drummer Joe McDonald has told
of this jam session. Jam Sessions at Christy's - c. Winter—Spring 1950. ZIM Records: This sheet describes the ZIM Records
holdings of tapes from Christy’s. The date given for the Parker tracks is
April 12, 1950. Art Zimmerman has recently (2013) informed me that this tape
came in a cassette with the written date 4/12/51 and the personnel: McGhee,
Parker, Wellington, Pierce, Tommy Potter, and Jim Clark. Listening to the bass
solo on Scrapple From the Apple, I
hear "Go Jack" yelled 2 times. This is not consistent with the
Tommy Potter on the reel label, but points to Jack Lawlor, who played with
Nat Pierce in this period, For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
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April 15 |
Oscar Pettiford Sextet Howard McGhee
(tp); unidentified (p); Joe Roeland (vib); Oscar Pettiford (cello, b); Tommy
Potter (b); unidentified (d). (closing April
15). Count Basie And His All Stars Clark Terry (tp); Wardell Gray (ts);
Marshall Royal (cl, as); Count Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b);
Gus Johnson (d). Al Vega (intermission p) Hi-Hat, Boston. April 15–22. |
”Jo Jones at Storyville affair, Boston Traveler, April 11, 1951, 27: “Count Basie Band Plays at Hi-Hat,” Boston Traveler, April 18, 1951, 7:
Basie opened Sunday opposite Oscar Pettiford, who had last day here. Ad in Boston Traveler, April 18, 1951, 51: Basie plus Al Vega. Opening April 23: Jimmy
Tyler. |
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April 15? |
Jam session Christie’s Restaurant, Framingham, MA. Including Howard McGhee, Clark Terry,
Dick Wetmore, Bill Harris, Wardell Gray, Nat Pierce and others. Recordings exist |
For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
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April 16 |
Buddy Rogers Show Count Basie,
Toni Arden and other guests. WOR
Television. 12:30–12:50. No surviving recordings exist. |
“Television and Radio Programs,” Brooklyn
Eagle, April 16, 1951, 13: 12:30–12:50: WOR Buddy Rogers Show. |
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April 26 |
Count Basie Septet Clark Terry (tp); Wardell Gray (ts);
Marshall Royal (cl, as); Count Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b);
Gus Johnson (d). Birdland, New York, NY. April 26–May 2. April 28: Broadcast. WJZ. Symphony Sid (mc). Count Basie
Septet Harry Edison, Clark Terry (tp); Wardell
Gray (ts); Count Basie (p), Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b), Gus Johnson
(d). Recordings exist. |
“On the Upbeat,” Variety, April 25, 1951, 50: Opening on April 26. “ Rhythm and Blues Notes,” Billboard, May 5, 1951, 34: Closing
May 2. “On the Radio,” New York Times,
April 27, 1951, 33. WJZ: 12:00–5:45 am.: Symphony Sid. For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
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May 2 |
Count Basie and His Orchestra Paul Campbell, Clark Terry, Lamar Wright
(tp); Booty Wood, Jimmy Wilkins (tb); Marshall Royal (cl, as); Ernie Wilkins
(as), Wardell Gray, Paul Quinichette (ts); Charlie Fowlkes (bars); Count
Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b); Gus Johnson (d). Bill Bailey (tap dance) Thelma Carpenter (voc) George Kirby (impressionist) Orioles (5 vocals, including g, and b). Strand Theater, New York, NY. May 2–15. |
Ad in Brooklyn Eagle, May 2, 1951, 75:Today. “New York Swing Revival,” Billboard, May 12, 1951, 35: mentions
Wardell Gray and Lucky Thompson as members. “House Reviews: Strand, New York,” Billboard, May 12, 1951, 37: Reviewed
on Thursday, May 3. “House Reviews: Strand, N. Y.,” Variety, May 9, 1951, 55: Has Basie
Orchestra of 14 pieces. “Broadway Spotty…” Variety, May 16, 1951, 9: the engagement was for 2 weeks closing
on May 15. |
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May 6 |
Count Basie and His Orchestra WNEW Broadcast, New York, NY: 5:30: Make
Believe Ballroom. Recordings exist. |
”On the Radio This Week,” New York
Times, May 6, 1951, 10 X: 5:30: WNEW: Make-Believe Ballroom. For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
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May 17 |
Count Basie and His Sextette Clark Terry (tp); Wardell Gray (ts);
Marshall Royal (cl, as); Count Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b);
Gus Johnson (d). 400 Casino Jazzland, Albany, NY. May 17–23. |
Ad in Troy Record, May 14, 1951,
4. Ad in Troy Record, May 18, 1951,
27. |
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May 24 |
Kate Smith Hour Count Basie and His Orchestra Paul Campbell, Clark Terry, Lamar Wright
(tp); Booty Wood, Jimmy Wilkins (tb); Marshall Royal (cl, as); Ernie Wilkins
(as), Wardell Gray, Paul Quinichette (ts); Charlie Fowlkes (bars); Count
Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b); Gus Johnson (d). Unidentified TV studio, New York, NY. NBC
TV show (in New York WNTB): 4:00–5:00 p.m.: Kate Smith Hour. Count
Basie and others are guests. Surviving sound parts exist. |
“On Television,” New York Times,
May 24, 1951, 54: 4–5 p.m.: WNTB: Katie Smith Hour. For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
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May 25 |
Count Basie Orchestra and Revue Bill Bailey (tap dance) Irene Williams (voc) George Kirby (mimic) Norma Miller Dancers Howard Theater, Washington, DC. May 25–31. |
“Todays’s Neighborhood Movies,” Washington
Post, May 25, 1951, 24. “Count Basie Skeds Tour With Revue,” Billboard, May 26, 1951, 14. “Bill Bailey Back on Broadway…” Afro-American, May 19, 1951, 8. |
|
June |
Count Basie and His Orchestra. Release Columbia 39406. Columbia 39406 10” 78 rpm. record. Columbia 3-39406 33 rpm. rpm. single record. Columbia 4-39406 7” 45 rpm. single record. Recorded April 10, 1951. Count Basie and His Orchestra. Columbia 39406 A Columbia 3-39406 A Columbia 4-39406 A Little Pony Columbia 39406 B Columbia 3-39406 B Columbia 4-39406 B Beaver Junction |
Ad in Billboard, June 9, 1951,
18. “Record Reviews: Popular,” Billboard,
June 9, 1951, 35: very positive review. |
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June |
Count Basie Orchestra and Revue Irene Williams (voc) One-nighters through the South on the
way to Chicago. |
“Count Basie Skeds Tour with Revue,” Billboard, May 26, 1951, 14. |
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June 1 |
Count Basie Orchestra Irene Williams (voc) Armory
Auditorium, Charlotte, NC. |
“Count’s New Band Food for Thought,” Charlotte
Observer, June 2, 1951, 10-A. |
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June 2 |
Count Basie Orchestra and Revue Irene Williams (voc) Nags Head
Casino, NC. |
“Name Bands Play at Nags This Weekend,”
Charlotte News, June 1, 1951, 2 A. |
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June 6 |
Count Basie Orchestra Irene Williams (voc) Armory
Auditorium, Charlotte, NC. |
“Count’s New Band Food for Thought,” Charlotte
Observer, June 2, 1951, 10-A. |
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June 11 |
Count Basie Orchestra Irene Williams (voc) Memorial
Auditorium, Raleigh, NC. 11
pm. White
spectators invited. |
Ad in News and Observer,
June 10, 1951, IV 11. |
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June 22 |
Count Basie and His Orchestra Irene Williams (voc) Sports Arena
Ord., Greensboro, NC. 9 pm.– White
Spectators invited. Ecccles &
Rowell (prod.) |
Ad in Greensboro Daily News, June
20, 1951, 4-B. |
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June 28 |
Count Basie and His Orchestra Irene Williams (voc) Kenwick on the
Lake, Ontario, Canada. 10 pm. |
“Ad in Port Huron Times Herald,
June 24, 1951, 2-.sec. 6. |
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June 29 |
Count Basie Orchestra and Revue Joe Turner (voc) Herman Chittison Trio Irene Williams (voc) Bill Bailey (tap dance) George Kirby (mimic) Norma Miller Dancers Regal Theater, Chicago, IL. June 29–July 5. |
Ad in Chicago Tribune, June 29,
1951, part 2, 15: does not have Joe Turner. He is not in the ads here during
the entire week. Ad in Chicago Defender, June 30,
1951, 52: Has Joe Turner. |
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July 6 |
One O-Clock Revue Count Basie Orchestra Joe Turner (voc) Herman Chittison Trio Irene Williams (voc) Bill Bailey (tap dance) George Kirby (mimic) Norma Miller Dancers TV Playhouse, Kansas City, MO. 9:30 pm. KMBC TV Concert. |
As in Kansas City Star, July 6,
1951, 12. “Basie Preems In TV Theater,” Billboard, July 7, 1951, 10. |
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July 12 |
One O-Clock Revue Count Basie Orchestra Joe Turner (voc) Herman Chittison Trio Irene Williams (voc) Bill Bailey (tap dance) George Kirby (impersonation Norma Miller Dancers Flamingo, Las Vegas, NV. July 12–25. |
“Basie’s ‘One O’Clock Review’ Set,” Las
Vegas Review-Journal, July 1o, 1951, 9: The band includes Joe Turner. Ad in Las Vegas Review-Journal,
July 12, 1951, 18: Joe Turner not mentioned in ad. “Bailey Drives to Wrong Home,” Billboard, July 21, 1951, 12: Bailey
missed the opening. Ad in Las Vegas Review-Journal,
July 25, 1951, 7: Opening July 26: Spike Jones. |
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July 22 |
One O-Clock Revue Count Basie Orchestra Joe Turner (voc) Herman Chittison Trio Irene Williams (voc) Bill Bailey (tap dance) George Kirby (impersonation Norma Miller Dancers War Memorial
Building, Salt Lake City, UT. 2 pm. Benefit for
Scholl of Handicapped children of Clark country. Silver State
lodge of Elks no. 1168 (prod,) |
“Count Basie to Aid Building fund for
handicapped Tots,” Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 18, 1951,2 |
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July 27 |
One O-Clock Revue Count Basie Orchestra Joe Turner (voc) Herman Chittison Trio Irene Williams (voc) Bill Bailey (tap dance) George Kirby (impersonation Norma Miller Dancers Club Oasis, Hollywood, CA. July 27–August 2? |
“Oasis Owners Drop Eckstine,” Billboard, July 7, 1951, 33: Basie at
Flamingo last week of July. Ad in Variety (Daily), July 27, 1951, 7. “House Reviews: Oasis, L A.,” Variety, August 16, 1950, 44, 47:
review on August 9: 18 pieces. “Night Club – Vaude Reviews: Oasis, Los
Angeles,” Billboard, August 11,
1951, 44: Review on July 28. C. Sheridan, Count Basie–A Bio-Discography (1986), 1128: has July 27–August 9. |
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August 6 |
One O-Clock Revue Count Basie Orchestra Joe Turner (voc) Herman Chittison Trio Irene Williams (voc) Bill Bailey (tap dance) George Kirby (impersonation Norma Miller Dancers Primalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA. |
“ABC’s Basie, Hunter Dates,” Billboard, August 4, 1951, 16. |
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August 7 |
One O-Clock Revue Count Basie Orchestra Joe Turner (voc) Herman Chittison Trio Irene Williams (voc) Bill Bailey (tap dance) George Kirby (impersonation Norma Miller Dancers Auditorium, Stockton, CA. |
“ABC’s Basie, Hunter Dates,” Billboard, August 4, 1951, 16. |
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August 8 |
One O-Clock Revue Count Basie Orchestra Joe Turner (voc) Herman Chittison Trio Irene Williams (voc) Bill Bailey (tap dance) George Kirby (impersonation Norma Miller Dancers Young’s Bijou. Lake Tahoe, NV. |
“ABC’s Basie, Hunter Dates,” Billboard, August 4, 1951, 16. |
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August 9 |
One O-Clock Revue Count Basie Orchestra Joe Turner (voc) Herman Chittison Trio Irene Williams (voc) Bill Bailey (tap dance) George Kirby (impersonation Norma Miller Dancers Auditorium, Winnemucca, NV. |
“ABC’s Basie, Hunter Dates,” Billboard, August 4, 1951, 16. |
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August 10 |
One O-Clock Revue Count Basie Orchestra Joe Turner (voc) Herman Chittison Trio Irene Williams (voc) Bill Bailey (tap dance) George Kirby (impersonation Norma Miller Dancers Including Joe
Turner (voc). Lagoon Amusement Park, Salt Lake City,
UT. August 10–11. |
Ad in Salt Lake Telegram, August
10, 1951, 14. |
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August 13 |
Count Basie Sextet Probably: Clark Terry (tp); Marshall Royal (cl, as); Wardell Gray
(ts); Count Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Jimmy Lewis (b); Gus Johnson (d). Denver, CO. |
C. Sheridan, Count Basie–A Bio-Discography (1986), 1128: After the Lagoon gig Basie breaks his band
into a six-piece outfit and heads east. “ABC’s Basie, Hunter Dates,” Billboard, August 4, 1951, 16. |
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August 16? |
Count Basie Sextet Capitol Lounge, Chicago, IL. August 16–September 5. Wardell Gray leaves Basie after this
engagement. |
“Chi Crazy Over Name Jazz Units,”
Billboard, September 1, 1951, 14: Article date august 25: The Septet went
into the Lounge 10 days ago. Wardell Gray letter to Dorothy Gray.
Chicago undated. https://faculty.hampshire.edu/aravett/forgotten_tenor/trans/trans.html#teddy2 Ad in Chicago Tribune, September
2, 1951, part 7, 2. C. Sheridan, Count Basie–A Bio-Discography (1986), 1128: Has August
16–September 5 |
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September 12 |
Benny Carter Band Benny Carter (tp & as & dir);
Herbie Harper (tb); Wardell Gray (ts); Ernie Freeman (p); Harry Babasin (b);
George Jenkins (d). Tiffany Club, Los Angeles, CA. September 12–October 11?. |
Ad in
Los Angeles Times, September 12, 1951, part 1, 22: Opening
tonight. Ad in
Los Angeles Times, October 6, 1951, part 1, 19: Opening
tonight. Ad in
Los Angeles Times, October 11, 1951, part 1, 28: Jay Jay
Johnson opening tomorrow,. Pittsburgh Courier, October 13, 1951, 17: gives the
personnel. |
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October? |
Joe Swanson and His Orchestra John
Anderson (tp); Jimmy Cheatham, John “Streamline” Ewing (tb); Buddy Collette
(as); Joe Swanson, Wardell Gray (ts); Jewell Grant (bar); Gerald Wiggins (p);
Irving Ashby (el-g); David Bryant (b); Bill Douglass (d); prob. Frede
Richardson (voc); Paul Villepigue (arr). Unidentified Studio, Los Angeles, CA. Commercial recordings for Recorded In
Hollywood. |
For details see: http://www.wardellgray.org/discography.html |
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November 16 |
Wardell Gray Quartet Wardell Gray (ts); Hampton Hawes (p);
Henry Babasin (b); Lawrence Marable (d). Tiffany Club, Los Angeles, CA. November 16–29, 7 nights a week. |
Local 767 AFM contract (in Norman Saks Collection).
AFM Contract for Wardell Gray as leader: 2 weeks starting November 16
.9:45pm.–1;45 am. Seven nights per week. Salary 378 per week (leader $126;
sidemen § 84 each, http://wardellgray.org/contractsp5.html |
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November 30 |
Helen Humes Ned Tracy Wardell Gray Quartet Tiffany Club, Los Angeles, CA. November 30–December 9. |
Ad in Los Angeles Times, November 30, 1951. “100G Tiffany Talent Budget,” Billboard, December 1, 1951, 58: Gray
Closing December 9. |
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December |
Joe Swanson Release of Recorded in Hollywood RIH
173. 10” 78 rpm. record. Recorded September/October 1951. Joe Swanson and His Orchestra RIH 173 A Thrust RIH 173 B East of the Sun |
“Rhythm & Blues Record Reviews,” Billboard,
December 15, 1951, 72: Friendly review. |