Grady Tate
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Grady Tate, (born January 14, 1932 in Durham, North Carolina), is a jazz drummer. He has played with Lena Horne, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Blossom Dearie, Chris Connor, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Stanley Turrentine, Charles Earland, Quincy Jones, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith, as well as many other famous jazz artists. Grady Tate was the drummer on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for six years. He has been on the faculty of Howard University since 1989.
Grady Tate helped define, in particular, hard bop music and the organ trio sound during the 60's and beyond. His sound is instantly recognizable for it's understated style in which he integrates his trademark subtle nuances, and sharp, crisp "on top of the beat" timing (in comparison to playing slightly before, or slightly after the beat). Grady Tate's popularity as choice sideman of accomplished musicians is due to his remarkable ability to make any style of music swing tastefully, and his interpretation of many different genres of music, to create his own unique style of jazz grooves- ie: reggae-jazz, rock-jazz, funk-jazz, etc. One album that demonstrates Mr. Tate's mastering of several musical styles may be heard on Jimmy Smith's "Go For Whatcha Know" (1986), which also features a vocal track by Grady Tate. An example of his virtuosic drumming abilities may be heard on Stan Getz's "Sweet Rain" (1967).
He is also a vocalist. One of his most widely heard vocal performances is the song "Naughty Number Nine" for Multiplication Rock, part of Schoolhouse Rock.
