Grant Green, (1931-1979) was one of the landmarks of jazz funk guitarists of the sixties and one of the emblematic players at the Blue Note instrument. After starting out in different formations of jazz and rhythm and blues, the saxophonist Lou Donaldson, introduced him to the legendary label blue as guest soloists and musicians of the age as well as Donaldson himself were: Stanley Turrentine, Lee Morgan, Herbie Hancock, or the organist, Jimmy Smith. It was precisely his ability to accompany various jazz organists such as Brother Jack McDuff, Sam Lazar, Baby Face Willette or extraordinary, Gloria Coleman, which opened the doors of fame in the jazz and he became a renowned performer. His guitar style is a resounding strength and sharpening their sound resonates with echoes of bebop, blues and soul, into a rich amalgam always ingenious and effective in recent years many musicians have appropriated Rap or acid jazz. His serious drug problems soon shattered his career in the seventies and died at the end of the decade with only 48 years old. Recorded in spite of his short career over twenty albums to his name being the most popular of them titled "Idle Moments" recorded in 1963 for Blue Note.
Green was born on June 6, 1935 in St. Louis. His first professional performance came at age 13. His early influences were Charlie Christian and Charlie Parker, and his first style was the boogie-woogie , before coming to jazz. His first recording in St. Louis was with the tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest for Delmark. The drummer of the band was Elvin Jones later companion John Coltrane. Grant would record again with Elvis in the early sixties. Lou Donaldson discovered Grant playing in a bar in St. Louis. Following a tour with him, Grant arrived in New York between 1959 and 1960.
Lou Donaldson introduced Grant to Alfred Lion of Blue Note Records . Lion was so impressed with Grant, before the test as a sideman, as was customary in the label, Lion to record placed him as a leader, a status that was maintained with few exceptions during the sixties. From 1961 to 1965 Grant became one of the musicians with the highest number of recordings for the company. His first album as a leader was Grant's First Stand. The same year he published Green Street and Grantstand. At the time, accompanied by other musicians from Blue Note, among which were the saxophonists Hank Mobley , Ike Quebec, Stanley Turrentine and Harold Vick, and organists such as Larry Young . Grant was chosen as the best rising star in the survey of critical Down Beat in 1962 . As a result, its popularity spread beyond New York.
Sunday Mornin ', The Latin Bit and Feelin' the Spirit are all examples of concept albums, each with a different style Gospel, Latin and spiritual . Grant has always worked commercial success with artistic success, as is the case with Idle Moments (1963 ), together with Joe Henderson and Bobby Hutcherson , and Solid ( 1964), with Coltrane's rhythm section, both disks considered the best works of Grant. Many of the guitarist's recordings were not edited in life, such as Matador, in which Grant is accompanied again by Coltrane's rhythm section, and a series of sessions with pianist Sonny Clark .
In 1966 Grant left Blue Note and recorded for other labels, including Verve. Between 1967 and 1969 Grant was inactive because of personal problems and the effects of his addiction to heroin. During that period, Wes Montgomery achieved great success and George Benson became a rising star, the two stylistic influences reflect Green.
In 1969, Grant returned with a group funk influences . His recordings from this period include the commercially successful Green is Beautiful and the soundtrack of the film The Final Comedown . Grant left Blue Note in 1974 and again following recordings are ordinarily considered as commercial.
Grant was over 1978 in many occasions in the hospital against medical advice and got out to get clean up its economy. While in New York playing with George Benson, died after suffer a heart attack inside his car on January 31, 1979. He was buried in his hometown of San Luis, had six children.
Lou Donaldson introduced Grant to Alfred Lion of Blue Note Records . Lion was so impressed with Grant, before the test as a sideman, as was customary in the label, Lion to record placed him as a leader, a status that was maintained with few exceptions during the sixties. From 1961 to 1965 Grant became one of the musicians with the highest number of recordings for the company. His first album as a leader was Grant's First Stand. The same year he published Green Street and Grantstand. At the time, accompanied by other musicians from Blue Note, among which were the saxophonists Hank Mobley , Ike Quebec, Stanley Turrentine and Harold Vick, and organists such as Larry Young . Grant was chosen as the best rising star in the survey of critical Down Beat in 1962 . As a result, its popularity spread beyond New York. Sunday Mornin ', The Latin Bit and Feelin' the Spirit are all examples of concept albums, each with a different style Gospel, Latin and spiritual . Grant has always worked commercial success with artistic success, as is the case with Idle Moments (1963 ), together with Joe Henderson and Bobby Hutcherson , and Solid ( 1964), with Coltrane's rhythm section, both disks considered the best works of Grant. Many of the guitarist's recordings were not edited in life, such as Matador, in which Grant is accompanied again by Coltrane's rhythm section, and a series of sessions with pianist Sonny Clark .
In 1966 Grant left Blue Note and recorded for other labels, including Verve. Between 1967 and 1969 Grant was inactive because of personal problems and the effects of his addiction to heroin. During that period, Wes Montgomery achieved great success and George Benson became a rising star, the two stylistic influences reflect Green.
In 1969, Grant returned with a group funk influences . His recordings from this period include the commercially successful Green is Beautiful and the soundtrack of the film The Final Comedown . Grant left Blue Note in 1974 and again following recordings are ordinarily considered as commercial.
Grant was over 1978 in many occasions in the hospital against medical advice and got out to get clean up its economy. While in New York playing with George Benson, died after suffer a heart attack inside his car on January 31, 1979. He was buried in his hometown of San Luis, had six children.
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