Ray Brown
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Born: October 13, 1926 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Died: July 2, 2002 in Indianapolis, Indiana
Died: July 2, 2002 in Indianapolis, Indiana
Ray Brown was born in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and
began taking piano lessons at
age eight. He eventually
switched to the double bass in
high school and played in the
high school jazz orchestra.
Brown met a bassist in Duke
Ellington’s band, Jimmy
Blanton.
After graduating from high
school Brown moved to New
York and was introduced to
Dizzy Gillespie who was
looking for a bass player.
Brown was hired and then
worked with Art Tatum and
Charlie Parker. From 1946 to
1951 Brown worked in Gillespie’
s band. He eventually helped
found the Modern Jazz
Quartet.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and
began taking piano lessons at
age eight. He eventually
switched to the double bass in
high school and played in the
high school jazz orchestra.
Brown met a bassist in Duke
Ellington’s band, Jimmy
Blanton.
After graduating from high
school Brown moved to New
York and was introduced to
Dizzy Gillespie who was
looking for a bass player.
Brown was hired and then
worked with Art Tatum and
Charlie Parker. From 1946 to
1951 Brown worked in Gillespie’
s band. He eventually helped
found the Modern Jazz
Quartet.
At this time in Brown’s life he was appearing in Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts
with jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. The two wed in 1947. In 1966 Brown moved to
Los Angeles and worked on television show orchestras. He met famous artists of
the day including Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan,
and Nancy Wilson. He also began to manage the Modern Jazz Quartet and
Quincy Jones as well as produced shows for the Hollywood Bowl. He wrote jazz
double bass instruction books and developed a jazz cello.
with jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. The two wed in 1947. In 1966 Brown moved to
Los Angeles and worked on television show orchestras. He met famous artists of
the day including Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan,
and Nancy Wilson. He also began to manage the Modern Jazz Quartet and
Quincy Jones as well as produced shows for the Hollywood Bowl. He wrote jazz
double bass instruction books and developed a jazz cello.
Blue Bossa