Grover Washington, Jr. (December 12, 1943 - December 17, 1999) has been con… Read Full Bio ↴Grover Washington, Jr. (December 12, 1943 - December 17, 1999) has been considered by many to be the founding father of smooth jazz and a master of the jazz funk genre, working as a prominent songwriter and talented saxophonist. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Washington made some of the genre's most memorable hits. These include "Mister Magic", Black Frost", and "The Best is Yet to Come" (with Patti LaBelle on guest vocals).
In addition, he performed very frequently with other artists, including Bill Withers on "Just the Two of Us" (a song still in regular rotation on radio today) and Phyllis Hyman on "Sacred Kind of Love". He is also remembered for his take on a Dave Brubeck classic, called "Take Another Five", as well as for his hit "Soulful Strut". His work continues to inspire jazz artists even today.
Washington was born in Buffalo, New York, 12 December 1943. Regarded as one of the revolutionaries in jazz music and is considered one of the greatest saxophone players in modern jazz history. He led many others to follow in his footsteps.
Washington's history was music-filled. His mother was a church chorister, and his father was a collector of old jazz 78s and a saxophonist as well, so music was everywhere in the home. He grew up with the great jazz men and big band leaders like Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson, and others like them. At the age of 8, with the desire for him to be more than he could be, Grover Sr. gave Jr. a saxophone. He practiced and sneaked into clubs to see famous Buffalo blues musicians.
He left Buffalo and played with a mid-west group called the Four Clefs. He was drafted into the US Army shortly thereafter, but this was to be to his advantage, as he met drummer Billy Cobham. Cobham, a mainstay in New York City, introduced Washington to many New York musicians. After leaving the Army, Washington freelanced his talents around New York City, eventually landing in Philadelphia in 1967.
Grover's big break came at the expense of another artist. Alto sax man Hank Crawford was unable to make a recording date with Prestige Records, and Washington took his place, even though he was a backup. This led to his first album, Inner City Blues. He was talented, and displayed heart and soul with soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. Refreshing for his time, he made headway into the jazz mainstream. His fifth album, 1974's Mister Magic was a commercial success, and introduced guitarist Eric Gale in as a near-permanent member in Washington's arsenal.
A string of acclaimed records brought Washington through the 1970s, which culminated in the signature piece for everything Washington would do from then on. 1980's Winelight was the album that defined everything Washington was about. The album was smooth, fused with R and B and easy listening feel. Washington's love of basketball, especially the Philadelphia 76ers, led him to dedicate his first track, Let It Flow to Julius Erving (Dr. J). The highlight of the album, and a main staple of radio airplay everywhere, was his great collaboration with soul artist Bill Withers, Just The Two of Us. It was also the final step away from Motown, landing him on Elektra Records and into a new era of jazz excellence. The album went platinum in 1981, and also won Grammy Awards in 1982 for Best R and B Song ("Just The Two of Us"), and Best Jazz Fusion Performance ("Winelight"). "Winelight" was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
From that point, Washington is credited (or scorned, as some may say) for giving rise to a new batch of talent that would make its mark in the late 80s and early 90s. He is blamed for bringing Kenny G to the forefront, but also credited with bringing such smooth jazz artists as Walter Beasley, Steve Cole, Pamela Williams, Najee, George Howard, and The Philadelphia Experiment into popular attention.
The tragedy and irony of Washington's life was that while he was able to get his big break from another artist's absence, Washington lived long enough to bring smooth jazz to the last points of the old millennium, but didn't outlive Hank Crawford, whose absence gave him his big break (and is still alive, as of 2005). On December 17th, 1999, while waiting in the green room after taping four songs for the The Early Show, at CBS Studios in New York City, Washington collapsed. He was taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 7:30 p.m. His doctors determined that he had suffered a massive heart attack.
Grover Washington Jr.'s legacy lives on in the futures of up-and-coming jazz artists, and his life is celebrated from college campuses all around the nation to the hallowed streets of his own Philadelphia, his adopted hometown.
In addition, he performed very frequently with other artists, including Bill Withers on "Just the Two of Us" (a song still in regular rotation on radio today) and Phyllis Hyman on "Sacred Kind of Love". He is also remembered for his take on a Dave Brubeck classic, called "Take Another Five", as well as for his hit "Soulful Strut". His work continues to inspire jazz artists even today.
Washington was born in Buffalo, New York, 12 December 1943. Regarded as one of the revolutionaries in jazz music and is considered one of the greatest saxophone players in modern jazz history. He led many others to follow in his footsteps.
Washington's history was music-filled. His mother was a church chorister, and his father was a collector of old jazz 78s and a saxophonist as well, so music was everywhere in the home. He grew up with the great jazz men and big band leaders like Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson, and others like them. At the age of 8, with the desire for him to be more than he could be, Grover Sr. gave Jr. a saxophone. He practiced and sneaked into clubs to see famous Buffalo blues musicians.
He left Buffalo and played with a mid-west group called the Four Clefs. He was drafted into the US Army shortly thereafter, but this was to be to his advantage, as he met drummer Billy Cobham. Cobham, a mainstay in New York City, introduced Washington to many New York musicians. After leaving the Army, Washington freelanced his talents around New York City, eventually landing in Philadelphia in 1967.
Grover's big break came at the expense of another artist. Alto sax man Hank Crawford was unable to make a recording date with Prestige Records, and Washington took his place, even though he was a backup. This led to his first album, Inner City Blues. He was talented, and displayed heart and soul with soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. Refreshing for his time, he made headway into the jazz mainstream. His fifth album, 1974's Mister Magic was a commercial success, and introduced guitarist Eric Gale in as a near-permanent member in Washington's arsenal.
A string of acclaimed records brought Washington through the 1970s, which culminated in the signature piece for everything Washington would do from then on. 1980's Winelight was the album that defined everything Washington was about. The album was smooth, fused with R and B and easy listening feel. Washington's love of basketball, especially the Philadelphia 76ers, led him to dedicate his first track, Let It Flow to Julius Erving (Dr. J). The highlight of the album, and a main staple of radio airplay everywhere, was his great collaboration with soul artist Bill Withers, Just The Two of Us. It was also the final step away from Motown, landing him on Elektra Records and into a new era of jazz excellence. The album went platinum in 1981, and also won Grammy Awards in 1982 for Best R and B Song ("Just The Two of Us"), and Best Jazz Fusion Performance ("Winelight"). "Winelight" was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
From that point, Washington is credited (or scorned, as some may say) for giving rise to a new batch of talent that would make its mark in the late 80s and early 90s. He is blamed for bringing Kenny G to the forefront, but also credited with bringing such smooth jazz artists as Walter Beasley, Steve Cole, Pamela Williams, Najee, George Howard, and The Philadelphia Experiment into popular attention.
The tragedy and irony of Washington's life was that while he was able to get his big break from another artist's absence, Washington lived long enough to bring smooth jazz to the last points of the old millennium, but didn't outlive Hank Crawford, whose absence gave him his big break (and is still alive, as of 2005). On December 17th, 1999, while waiting in the green room after taping four songs for the The Early Show, at CBS Studios in New York City, Washington collapsed. He was taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 7:30 p.m. His doctors determined that he had suffered a massive heart attack.
Grover Washington Jr.'s legacy lives on in the futures of up-and-coming jazz artists, and his life is celebrated from college campuses all around the nation to the hallowed streets of his own Philadelphia, his adopted hometown.
Strawberry Moon
Grover Washington Jr. Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Strawberry Moon' by these artists:
Anita O'Day She gets too hungry for dinner at eight She likes…
Astral Lite You make me feel so sultry on the inside You make…
Broke Fuse When we strip away the old decay that autumn left…
Camille Camille Strawberry moon, don't leave too soon I looked up and…
Cascade STRAWBERRY MOON 甘い罠 虜にされた夜のツキ そんな簡単に ランデブーなの、アリ? つつましい女じゃないの…
Dennis van Aarssen Caves, they skies are grey Ever colder, and the winds get…
Eleni Drake Yellow aura Around your tattooed skin Oh I see you from with…
Foghorn Lonesome She felt like dripping honey in my arms that night…
HALLCA feat.kiarayui I've made up my mind 抜け出せそう ルーズな夜をFly and fly away 溶け落ちそうな三日…
J Warner Tell me how long we do this for I'll tell you…
kiarayui feat.HALLCA I've made up my mind 抜け出せそう ルーズな夜をFly and fly away 溶け落ちそうな三日…
Lydia Luce Hello lonesome mind, breakin' free I do not like the way…
Mirella I see the moon It’s looking back Making a face You showed me…
Neptune's Car Boarded an eastbound train In South Bend, Indiana, Near the …
STRANGE WEATHER Strawberry Moon Feelin cranky, she goes to bed too soon And …
The Poles 이 밤에 녹아내린 나는 어디에도 없이 오직 너만을 간직한 채 공기처럼 옅어지네 아직도 난…
The Wild Wild Under the June strawberry moon, We lose ourselves (drunk on …
TWICE 今夜 月は赤い ah ah 不思議な夜 会ってた時の余韻 忘れたくない hah 急に近づいて 見つめるから 体中が熱くな…
Twin Rains It's the Strawberry Moon But your fruit's been denied We wer…
Velvet Bethany Cats sleep peacefully at the end of the bed Gatekeepers of…
ＣＡＳＣＡＤＥ STRAWBERRY MOON 甘い罠 虜にされた夜のツキ そんな簡単に ランデブーなの、アリ? つつましい女じゃないの…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Grover Washington Jr.:
Ain't No Sunshine I know I know Aint no sunshines when she's gone…
Ain't No Sunshine/Man and Boy I know I know (repeat) Aint no sunshines when she's gone…
All My Tomorrow Today I may not have a thing at all Except for…
Best Is Yet To Come Give me the sun I'll give you the moonlight Love will set…
Body And Soul My heart is sad and lonely For you I sigh, for…
Can You Stop the Rain Here's another morning without you Here's another day; will…
Caught A Touch Of Your Love I'm not feeling like I usually do I think it might…
Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at yo…
Christmas Waltz Frosted window panes, candles gleaming inside Painted candy…
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Have yourself a merry little Christmas Let your heart be lig…
I Loves You Porgy I love you, Porgy Don't let him take me Don't let him…
In A Sentimental Mood In a Sentimental Mood I can see The stars come through…
Inner City Blues Dah, dah, dah, dah Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah Dah,…
Jammin Baby, I was just a young girl When you came on…
Jet Stream pushing on a sound so bright let's stay home alone tonight …
Just a to for us I see the crystal raindrops fall And the beauty of it…
Let It Flow Here she comes walking across the sand She'll never know…
Look At This Look at you in that dress Girl you dangerous like a…
Look of Love The look of love Is in your eyes A look your smile…
Loran's Dance Mckennitt Loreena The Book Of Secrets The Mummer′s Dance Whe…
Make Love To You You don't know what love is 'Til you've learned the meaning…
Make Me a Memory Dah, dah, dah, dah Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah Dah,…
Making Love to You You don't know what love is 'Til you've learned the meaning…
Mercy Mercy Me Woo ah mercy, mercy me Ah, things ain't what they used…
Mister Magic Be mine tonight The time is right For you and me To get…
Monte Carlo Nights A beautiful scene A real dream A warm breeze I love thee…
Only For You only for you (repeat) siempre para ti only for you…
Overjoyed Over time, I've been building My castle of love Just for t…
Sacred Kind of Love Some people live their lives In such a lofty flight Wishing …
Soulful Strut Why don't you stop And look me over? Am I the same…
Take Another Five .take another take another five…
Take Five .take another take another five…
The Best Is Yet To Come Give me the sun I'll give you the moonlight Love will set…
The Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at you…
The Christmas Waltz Frosted window panes, candles gleaming inside Painted candy…
The Look Of Love The look of love Is in your eyes A look your smile…
Things Are Getting Better Hey please don't look back Things are getting better Yes the…
Trouble Man I come up hard baby, but now I'm cool I didn't…
Uptown He gets up each morning and he goes downtown Where everyone'…
When I Look At You I was just a lonely Melisande, Pity pity me. Came a…
Where Is The Love You don't know what love is 'Til you've learned the meaning…
Winelight (Instrumental) In the wine light, livin′ lovin's soft deligh…
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life You are the sunshine of my life That's why I'll always…
Your Love I'm not feeling like I usually do I think it might…
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