Henry Grimes
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Henry Grimes (born November 3, 1935) is a jazz double bassist. His recent rediscovery was remarkable.
Grimes trained at The Juilliard School, and established a reputation as a versatile bassist in the mid 1950s. He recorded or performed with Gerry Mulligan, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Anita O'Day, Benny Goodman and many others. When famed bassist Charles Mingus experimented with a second bass in his band, Grimes was the person he selected for the job.
Gradually growing interested in free jazz, Grimes performed with most of the music's important names, including Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry, Steve Lacy, Pharoah Sanders, Perry Robinson, Archie Shepp, and Albert Ayler. He recorded one album as a leader for the ESP-Disk record label.
Then in the late 1960s, Grimes seemed to disappear completely after moving to California. Many assumed Grimes was dead; he was listed as such in several jazz reference works.
Marshall Marrotte, a social worker and jazz fan, set out to discover Grimes's fate once and for all. To his surprise, he found Grimes alive, but nearly destitute, renting a small apartment in Los Angeles, California. Having suffered from bipolar disorder and long ago sold his bass, Grimes had fallen out of touch with the jazz world, but was eager to perform again.
Word spread of Grimes's "resurrection" and many musicians offered their help. William Parker donated a bass (nicknamed "Olive Oil", for its distinctive color), and others assisted with travel expenses and arranging performances.
Grimes's return was featured in the New York Times and on National Public Radio. A documentary film is planned, as is a biography.
Grimes has made up for lost time: In 2003 he performed at over two-dozen music festivals or other appearances. Grimes received a returning hero's welcome at the Vision Festival, and is teaching lessons and workshops for bassists. Grimes' November, 2003 appearance on Dennis González' Nile River Suite was the bassist's first official recording in more than thirty-five years.[1] In 2005, Grimes recorded with guitarist Marc Ribot. He is currently a resident of New York City, and has a busy schedule of performances, clinics, and international tours.
[edit] References
- ^ Hreha, Scott (2004-07-16). NY Midnight Suite + Nile River Suite (review). One Final Note. Scott Hreha. Retrieved on December 30, 2006.
