GROVER WASHINGTON, JR.
Rect o¢ Vol. A odGROVER
WASHINGTON, JR.
BIO
Asearly asthe first week of August 8, the Winelight album by
Philadelphia-based sasophonisticomposer/producer Grover Wash-
ington, Jr. had locked up honors as the year's hottest jazz LP.
Released by Elektra/Arylom in October 1980, Winelight had held
the #isloton the jaz2 LP charts since December (in Billboard, Cash,
Box and Record World), » record-breaking eun of more than six
‘months (itoutlasted the previous record-holder, Street Life by The
Crusaders, by more than 2 month)
But i's not like Washington hasnt had #1 jazz albums inthe past,
Winelight, the 1ithsoloLPofhiscareer, was theseventh foachieve
the topspot his personalrecord previous to Winelight was22 weeks
aU #LIn 75 with his Mister Magic LP)
What sparked Winelight’spenetrationintothe TopSpopandR&B
albumsand theLP's subsequent platinum-plus pesformance was the
Winelight single “Just The Two OF Us" with vocals by Bll Withers
‘The single made it 10 #2 00 the pop, R&B and adult contemporary
lists in May 81. And not only did Winelight and "Just The Two OF
Us"emerge Washington’salltimebiggesthits,but theirsuccessalso
revitalized Withers" career
‘After a summer of writing, recording and myriad activities,
Washington returnedinlate November’81 with Come Morning his,
third LP for ElekiralAsylum, Like Winelight, Come Morning 25
produced by Washington and. percussionisticomposer Ralph
MacDonald st Rosebudy Studios in New York, with instrumental
backing from basically the same lineup that helped make Winelight
suchasuccess. Onthis LP, the guest vocalstisGrady Tate, whosings
4 pairof tunes including "Be Mine (Tonight), released asthe first
‘Come Morning single in early November ‘81
Washington's success comes fromacombinationof integrity, hard
work and alent. Born in Buffalo, New York on December 12,1943,
Washington had (andhas)amusicalfamily. "My mohter usedtosing,
Inchurch choirs," herecalls,"and my father used to play saxophone
and hasamextensivecollectionofjaz278s, Now. my brother Michael
is the organist for e gospel group in Buffalo called The Varsons
they're in the process of completing ther second LP. My brother
Darrylis drummer who'splayed withthe ikeof Angela Boll Gato
Barbier, Charles Earland, Groove Holmes, Jimmy Owens and
myself, just to name afew. We came out ofthe ghetto, but despite
that fact and despite Bulfalo's cold winter climate, the city had a
warm creative atmosphere, as far a8 1 was concerned.
"My fatherbought me asaxophone when was 10 yearsold. After!
started playing, Id sneak into clubs and see guys like Jack McDuff,
Harold Vick and CharlesLloyd. My professionalifebeganat theage
Of 12 Iplayedelotof RBwhen was witha singing group, and also
played with blues band — even funkier than the blues, welled it
{gut bucket We played in every key every night — it was a perfect
training ground. playin a club until three oclock in the morning,
then be at school at quarter to eight.
“intheafternoon, dstay outdoors aslongasl could,” Washington
continues, Tdplay basketballall afternoon, getmy clothesdity,and
did I get my ase beat! Twas always into anything that invelved
‘movement, whether it was riding a bike, playing marbles, handball
whatever.”
ora while, Washington was torn between acareer asa musician
andoneasabasketball player, but when hestopped growing at S815
hhedecided music wasthe more promising alternative. Now,as faras
basketballisconcerned, Washington scontent withbeing a Philadel
hia 6ersseason ticket holder; he also plays the National Anthem at
nany DeersandPhiladelphia Eagleshome games, jullusErvingof the
TeersandWashingtonhave become good friends, Erving wasamong
{he many Philadelphiens who gathered at City Hain spring 81 10
hhonor Washington with the city’s prestigiout Liberty Bell award,
equivalent to the Key to the City.
‘Although he studied classical music, developing his sight-reading
ablity and that distinctive tone, Washington's first love was jazz."T
Still Usten tothe ‘lassics — Coleman Havhins, Ben Webster, Don
Byas, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane. Those are the
smastersandthey lleiwaysberelevant havesomethingtosay. What
Strive forin my own music isto always tell story, f0 portray my
inner Feelings”
Whenhe wss 16andjust graduated from highschool, Washington
leftBuffalotoplay witha bunchof friendeina groupealled The Four
Clefs. "When {left home," he recalls, "I found myself playing piano
fone night, axophone one night, playing bass one night. And {was
behind everything from singing proups tosnake charmers.1did just
bout everything but play ina burlesque house.”
ara
Al
Maat
‘Afew years ater, he was drafted ito the Army and stationed a
Fort Dix New jersey” After completed radio school inthe Army
he auditioned for and landed a spot inthe 19th Army Band,»
twhich fortunately eomoved him fram the ranks of Vieiam-bount
Soldiers "aida ltle moonlighting in New York and Piladlphia
playing all Kinds of musi,” he says. "1 became friends with Bil
ESbhatm and got to Know slot of important New York musicians
‘Mterthe Armny, Wathingtonsetledinhiadephia where soot
aftermethiswife,Chrstine( twasloveatfirstsight!"hesays, ane
‘thin year they were marred In addition tobis regular ebat
Tecord store, he worked extensively evenings and on weckend
Playing withallkinds of groupein Phiadelphiaand New York areos
“Phen he was hired to fils vacancy in the band led by organs
CChorles Erland sndcut the Living Black! (970) Washington
feputation grew after a few more albums a5 sideman recordin,
teuthTland Prestigeattsts nd then ect Breakout with Joho
Hammond. Released in’ tat LP become a best-seller and stab
lished Washington a+ + major nev voice onthe sx
Creed Taylor. Hammond «producer asso impressed by Wash
ington that he offered the young musician a contract to record a
Sroupleader, Washington's first saloLP maser City Blues(71
Rtthetimeofitsrleae, Washington silworkedattherecordstore
sohe wasintherather unique postion of unlosdingrecords with
tameon them Thatstuationdidn’rastlong. though: the LP wass
Succesfulhe putaband together and hit the road He wes28 year
aia
‘Washington senergy, soulfulness and sophistiation combined t
mmakehimeneol the netrumentalists whose sound helped defineth
trood of the 70s. His next tree albums All The King's Horse
Soul Box and especially 1976 Mister Maple (which sold in th
reighborhood of 1,000,000 copies) ~ enabled him to make th
Ttanaiton rom theclubcircuittsheadiiningconcerthals. After tha
‘omemoretoloslbums andsesion work th helikesof Bobjame:
Rondy Weston, Eric Gale, MacDonald and Dave Grusin
Winelight is Grover Washington e's most succesful album t
date: At the celease of Come Morning, it had sold about 1800.00
opis being certified goon March 70,1961 and platinum.on Ma
hos by the RIAA fwaddition, it received Ampes's Glden Ret
ward,gwentocertifiedgoldandplatinumLPsmasteredon Ampe
"Winelight garnered considerable critical acai 2s well: Dowbeat'sBen Sandmet noted that “Winelight had unfailing good taste,”
andthat "Washington plays withexquinitetone, range nd dexterity,
firingor caressing with equal aplomb and grooving always." Dennis
Hunt of the Los Angeles Times called Winelight "an admirable
album repletewithelegar loping pieces." The Boston Herald Amer-
iean’s Tom Long called the LP true masterpiece by an artist who
has the ably 10 combine the better elements of pop, soul and jazz
and transform them into a form... uniquely his.”
For his new Come Morning album, Washington pared doven the
lineup abit From the one featured on Winelight. Among the musi
clans contributing to Come Morning are co-producer Ralph
MacDonald, Steve Gadd, Eric Gale, Richard Tee, Marcus Miller and
Paul Griffin
Lately, Washington hae been a whirlwind of activity, He's cur-
rently pursuing adoctoratein musiecomposition at Temple Univer
sity a8 well as taking private composition lessons. Last spring,
through his G-Man Productions, Washington produced the debut
album by 3 rio of Philadelphia teenagers called Peces OF A Dream.
They're great,” Washington enthuses without hesitation, "They
haveansirofsincerityandprafessionalismabout them. .theyknow
how toletatunerealiyspesk "The resulting Pieces OF A Dream LP,
released by Elektra‘Anylum in September, has been a major success
forthegrouponthenation sjnzz3ng R&B chartsandwasstllin the
Top a0 on both charts atthe release of Come Morning.
For the past several months, Wathington has been playing gratis
‘igs inmates at various correctional fclities inthe Philly area 388
member of abandealed Dick Klein de TheFifth Amendment, headed
byalocal Appeals Court hudge. Venues playedhaveincluded rater-
ford Prison, site of an early November 61 hostage standoff. When
askedwwhathedoes at those affairs, Washington says,"Wetry totalk
With theinmates}onapersonalleveland givethemasmuchmusicas
wecanin the tmeslloted Tanswer questionsandtalk with prisoners
‘who are also musicians — same of them 'sit in’ Hopefully, we're
Biving them litle much-needed boost ”
‘Above and beyond his gigs with Klein & The Fifth Amendmei
Washington has limited his personal appearances this past year
special ive performances plus an occasional television show guest
spot which allowed him time to study, practice, produce andi with
Is famuly he and Christine have two chiléren Grover ll, 13and
Shans, 0) Inearly May, he joined Tom Snyder on" Tomorrows" and
on May 25, he performed with jazzlegend Sonny Rollins atthe Town
Hall in New York City. Back in Philadelphia, he joined Stacy Lat
tisaw, Ben Vereen and Sister Sledge onstage for a benefit concert to
help raise funds for research into Lupus Disease. Washington per
formed with Pieces OF A Dream on several ocasions before and
following the release of thegroup sdebut LP, includinga show at his
year's Atlantic City Jazz Festival. In late June, Washington and the
Winelight band videotaped 2fullconcert at Philadelphia's Schubert
“Theatee for future release on videocassette, In July, Washington
appeared at the Savoy in New York with Ramsey Lewis, who wat
‘recording 4 new live LP there and including Washington's compost
tion" Sassy Stew "inthe set, oWashington asthe natoralsayistfor
the tune, At the request of his friend Dexter Wansel, who wat
producing The Jones Girls’ Get As Much As You Can LP last
Fummer, Washington made s special guest appearance playing on
“Love, Don't Ever Say Goodbye.” Andin August, Washington, with
Ralph MacDonald and friends, joined Stevie Wonder and others on
the bill at this years Black Music Family Affair a the Rose Bowlin
Pasadena, California,
‘Outside of music, Washington will ashe dd ast year, coach the
Friends Central Lower School (or elementary school) basketball
team, which untiltwoyearsago, counted youngGrover llamongits
players the graduated to middle or junior high school in 80). When
Asked why he gets involved with elementary basketball instruction,
Washington says, “enjoy teaching the fundamentals to that age
group, light, afterall be coaching a future Philadelphia 76er!"But
Washington s ove of musicand sports combined sill surfaces even
at that level — along with Dick Klein & The Fifth Amendment,
Washington recently played a show at Friends Central for the
students laughter Shara just began classes there).
Winelight’s breakthrough success continues to open doors for
Washington, even at the release of Come Morning. He's been
approached to write the theme music fora new NBC sevies slated t0
‘debut in January 82, and ta host a new hour-long syndicated jazz
radio program (both arebeing negotiated) And Warner Bros. Music
‘splanmingtapublisha folioof hissongsin 1962. Bat now that Come
Morning has been completed and readied for release, what musical
tack does Washington plan to take next? "Maybe we'll goin a soul
direction, maybe 2 gospel direction. As long as we maintain the
quality ofthe Winelightslbum, Heelconfidentouraudiences willbe
pleasedABOUT THIS BOOK
The musical styles of Grover Washington, Jr. features some of Grover’s best compos
tions arranged and transcribed in score format.
JUST THE TWO OF US is scored for Tenor Sax, Trumpets, Trombones, (designated <
horns in the score), Keyboard, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Steel Drums (cued in the key
board), Vocal Lead, Vocal Group and Percussion I and II. The solo section at 33 may t
extended for additional solos.
WINELIGHT is scored for Alto Sax, Guitar, Clarinet, Keyboard, Synthesizer (cued i
keyboard), Bass, Drums and Percussion. The solo section at 58 may be extended fc
additional solos.
BRIGHTON BY THE SEA is scored for Soprano Sax, Guitar, Keyboard, (Rhode
Acoustic, Synthesizers are cued in keyboard), Bass, Drums, and Percussion. The so
section at 47 may be extended for additional solos.
EASY LOVIN’ YOU is scored for Soprano Sax, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Keyboard, Bas
Drums and an extended Percussion section which includes: Tin Whistle, Police Whistl
Ratchet, Syndrum, Conga, Orchestra Sticks, Bongos and Tamborine. The solo sectic
at 25 may be extended for additional solos.
LET IT FLOW (for Dr. J) is scored for Alto Sax, Guitar (overdub Guitar includec
Synthesizer, Keyboard (Synthesizer is cued in keyboard), Bass, Drums and Percussio
The solo section at 58 may be extended for additional solos.
SNAKE EYES is scored for Soprano Sax (Tenor overdub included), Guitar (overdt
Guitar included), Keyboard, Bass, Drums and Percussion. The solo section at 26 may |
extended for additional solos.
TAKE ME THERE is scored for Tenor Sax, Guitar, Synthesizer, Keyboard, Bas
Drums and Percussion. The solo sections at 26 and 34 may be extended for addition
solos.
MR. MAGIC is scored for Tenor Sax, Trumpets, Trombones, Strings (cued in Guit
part) Guitar (overdub Guitar included), Keyboard, Bass, Drums, and Percussion. T]
solo section at 37 may be extended for additional solos.
MAKE ME A MEMORY (Sad Samba) is scored for Alto Sax, Guitar, Keyboard, Ba:
Drums and Percussion. The solo section at 49 may be extended for additional solosisnt
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WINELIGHT
BRIGHTON BY THE SEA
EASY LOVIN’ YOU
LET IT FLOW (For Dr. })
SNAKE EYES
TAKE ME THERE
MR. MAGIC
MAKE ME A MEMORY (Sad Samba)
$8.95
usa.
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