Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

January 14, 1932 in Durham, NC

Death

:

October 8, 2017 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Grady Tate was a renowned American jazz drummer and vocalist, born on January 14, 1932, in Durham, North Carolina. He was the youngest of six children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a saxophonist, and his mother was a pianist. Tate's musical journey began at an early age, and he started playing the drums when he was just five years old. Tate's family moved to Washington, D.C., when he was a teenager, and he attended Armstrong High School. He played in the school band and also performed with local jazz musicians. After graduating from high school, Tate joined the United States Air Force and played in the Air Force band. He was stationed in Germany for three years and played with various jazz musicians during his time there. After leaving the Air Force, Tate moved to New York City in 1959 to pursue a career in music. He quickly became a sought-after drummer and worked with many jazz legends, including Quincy Jones, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Ella Fitzgerald. Tate's drumming style was characterized by his impeccable timing, precision, and sensitivity to the music. In addition to his drumming, Tate was also a talented vocalist. He sang on many of the recordings he played on and released several albums as a solo artist. His smooth baritone voice was often compared to that of Nat King Cole. One of Tate's most significant performances was his appearance on the television show "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." He was the show's drummer from 1963 to 1972 and became a familiar face to millions of viewers. Tate's drumming was an integral part of the show's music, and he also sang on many of the show's musical segments. Tate's work on "The Tonight Show" led to many other opportunities in television and film. He played on the soundtracks of several movies, including "The Graduate" and "In the Heat of the Night." He also appeared on many other television shows, including "The Merv Griffin Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show." In addition to his work in jazz and popular music, Tate was also a respected educator. He taught at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and was a guest lecturer at many other universities and music schools. He was also a mentor to many young musicians and was known for his generosity and kindness. Tate received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 2008, he was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. He also received the Jazz Masters Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2009, which is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a jazz musician in the United States. Grady Tate passed away on October 8, 2017, at the age of 85. He left behind a legacy as one of the most respected and influential drummers in jazz history. His impeccable timing, sensitivity, and musicality continue to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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