Grady Tate


Grady Tate was an American jazz and soul-jazz drummer and baritone vocalist. In addition to his work as sideman, Tate released many albums as leader and lent his voice to songs in the animated Schoolhouse Rock! series. He received two Grammy nominations.

Biography

Tate was born in Hayti, Durham, North Carolina, United States. In 1963 he moved to New York City, where he became the drummer in Quincy Jones's band.
Grady Tate's drumming helped to define a particular hard bop, soul jazz and organ trio sound during the mid-1960s and beyond. His slick, layered and intense sound is instantly recognizable for its understated style in which he integrates his trademark subtle nuances with sharp, crisp "on top of the beat" timing.
The Grady Tate sound can be heard prominently on many of the classic Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery albums recorded on the Verve label in the 1960s.
During the 1970s, Tate was a member of the New York Jazz Quartet. In 1981, he played drums and percussion for Simon and Garfunkel's Concert in Central Park.
As a sideman, Tate played with musicians including Jimmy Smith, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Quincy Jones, Stan Getz, Cal Tjader, Wes Montgomery, Eddie Harris, J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding and Michel Legrand.
Among his most widely heard vocal performances are the songs "I Got Six", "Naughty Number Nine", and "Fireworks" from Multiplication Rock and America Rock, both part of the Schoolhouse Rock series. For the 1973 motion picture Cops And Robbers, Tate sang the title song, written by Michel Legrand and Jacques Wilson. On Mark Murphy's album Living Room, Tate shares the vocals on a medley of "Misty" and "Midnight Sun". On the album Threesome, with Monty Alexander and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Tate sings words to Miles Davis's composition "All Blues", aggregated from a number of well-known and standard blues songs as well as to the jazz standard "Weaver of Dreams".
He joined the faculty of Howard University in 1989.
Grady Tate died of complications of Alzheimer's disease on October 8, 2017, at the age of 85. He was survived by his wife Vivian and son Grady, Jr.

Discography

As leader

Windmills of My Mind Slaves Feeling Life After the Long Drive Home She Is My Lady Movin' Day By Special Request compilationMaster Grady Tate Sings TNT Body & Soul Feeling Free All Love
  • ''From the Heart: Songs Sung Live at the Blue Note''

As sideman

With Ray BryantUp Above the Rock Here's Ray Bryant All Blues
With Kenny BurrellGuitar Forms A Generation Ago Today Blues – The Common Ground
With Johnny HodgesJoe's Blues with Wild Bill DavisBlue Notes Don't Sleep in the Subway 3 Shades of Blue
With J. J. JohnsonJ.J.! Broadway Express The Total J.J. Johnson Israel Stonebone
With Quincy JonesGolden Boy Walking in Space Gula Matari Smackwater Jack The Hot Rock OST You've Got It Bad Girl
With Oliver NelsonMore Blues and the Abstract Truth Encyclopedia of Jazz Happenings Oliver Nelson Plays Michelle Sound Pieces The Sound of Feeling The Kennedy Dream The Spirit of '67
With Houston PersonBroken Windows, Empty Hallways Sweet Buns & Barbeque The Big Horn The Nearness of You The Talk of the Town Just Friends with Buddy Tate, Nat SimpkinsChristmas with Houston Person and Friends Soft Lights Blue Velvet Sentimental Journey
With Lalo SchifrinNew Fantasy Once a Thief and Other Themes Jazz Meets the Symphony More Jazz Meets the Symphony Firebird: Jazz Meets the Symphony No. 3
With Zoot SimsZoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers Soprano Sax
With Jimmy SmithThe Cat Monster Organ Grinder Swing Got My Mojo Workin' Hoochie Coochie Man Go for Whatcha Know Fourmost Fourmost Return
With Billy TaylorI Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free Sleeping Bee Live at Storyville
With Cal TjaderSoul Sauce Soul Bird: Whiffenpoof Soul Burst Along Comes Cal Solar Heat
With Stanley TurrentineJoyride If I Could
With Kai WindingRainy Day More Brass, Dirty Dog Penny Lane & Time
With others