Wardell Gray, Saxophone, 1921, Oklahoma City, OK
Wardell spent his childhood in Detroit, where he learned clarinet and worked with local bands in his teens. In 1943 he joined Earl Hines, remaining or two years. He moved to Los Angeles in 1945 and became prominent through his association with the promoter Gene Norman's jam sessions with Dexter Gordon and other famous jazz players of the era. During the late '40s he worked with Benny Goodman and was an important part of Benny's band that experimented with bop. After leaving Goodman he worked with Basie in New York and then with Tad Dameron. In the early '50s Gray returned to freelance work on the West Coast and in LasVegas. Wardell Gray died in 1955.
Ron Jefferson, Drums, 1926, New York, NY
Ron, a swing and bop musician, worked with Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, and Joe Roland during the early '50s. During this same period he also performed and recorded with Oscar Pettiford, Lester Young, Randy Weston, and numerous others. In 1960 he moved to the West Coast and became active with Teddy Edwards, Leroy Vinegar, Carmell Jones, and Victor Feldman. During this period he also performed and toured with Les McCann's group. In the early '70s he was involved with the Jazz And People's Movement, an organization led by Roland Kirk. During the 1960s he recorded with groups of his own.
Wingy Manone, Trumpet, 1904, New Orleans, LA.
