Jazztodon artist of the week: Ray Brown!
From @aaj
Arriving in New York at the age of twenty, Hank Jones introduced him to Dizzy Gillespie, who was looking for a bass player. Gillespie hired Brown on the spot and he soon played with such established musicians as Art Tatum and Charlie Parker.

From 1946 to 1951 he played in Gillespie's band. Brown, along with the vibraphonist Milt Jackson, drummer Kenny Clarke, and the pianist John Lewis formed the rhythm section of the Gillespie band, and their work together eventually led to the creation of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Around this time Brown was also appearing in Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts, organised by Norman Granz. It was at these concerts that he met the jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, whom he married in 1947.

Brown anchored the Oscar Peterson Trio from 1951 to 1966. He later formed his own trio with Gene Harris and Jeff Hamilton.

He became an elder statesman and one of the most respected players in jazz.
#jazz #raybrown