Leroy Vinnegar

Leroy Vinnegar ( born July 13, 1928 in Indianapolis, † August 3, 1999 in Portland, Oregon ) was an American jazz bassist, known for his mastery of the " walking bass " style.

Life

Born in Indianapolis, Vinnegar became famous as the bassist in Los Angeles in the 1950s and 1960s. His particular trademark was the rhythmic " walking bass " game, a continual succession of ascending and descending notes, earning him the nickname " The Walker " earned.

Vinnegar had learned the bass playing self-taught and started his career as a pianist in local clubs. He accompanied by traveling soloists like Charlie Parker and Sonny Stitt. From 1952 Vinnegar worked in Chicago, from 1954 in Los Angeles, where, among others, Stan Getz, Herb Geller, Barney Kessel and 1955/56, as a permanent member of the bands of Shelly Manne, Chico Hamilton, Teddy Edwards and decades in duo and other formations with pianist Carl Perkins.

He took over as band leader and sideman on countless boards; He scored attention in the 1950s by LP recordings for André Previn, Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Hampton Hawes, Shorty Rogers, Chet Baker, Shelly Manne and Serge Chaloff. He played bass on Previn's and husband's My Fair Lady album. In 1969 he played at the gig by Eddie Harris and Les McCann at the Montreux Jazz Festival ( appearing on the plate Swiss Movement ). In addition to his work as a jazz musician Vinnegar also appeared on a number of film soundtracks and pop albums, such as Van Morrison album, Saint Dominic's Preview of 1972.

In 1986 he moved to Portland Vinnegar. In 1995, the Parliament of Oregon honored him with the proclamation of the " Leroy Vinnegar Day" on May 1.

Leroy Vinnegar died at the age of 71 of a heart attack at a hospital in Portland.

Disco Graphical Notes

Albums as a leader

• Leroy Walks! (Contemporary Records, 1957) with Gerald Wilson, Teddy Edwards, Victor Feldman, Carl Perkins
• Leroy Walks Again! (Contemporary Records, 1963)
• Jazz 's Great Walker (Joy Records, 1964)
• Glass Of Water ( Legend Records, 1973)
• The Kid (PBR International, 1974)

Albums as a sideman

• Shelly Manne: My Fair Lady (Contemporary Records, 1956)
• Sonny Criss: Saturday Morning ( Xanadu Records, 1975)
• Dolo Coker: California Hard ( Xanadu Records, 1977)
• Red Garland: Keystones, ( Xanadu Records, 1977)
• Kenny Drew: Home Is Where The Soul Is, For Sure! (both Xanadu Records, 1978)