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.

Your Love
Grover Washington Jr. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm not feeling like I usually do
I think it might have something
To do with you
Every time you're near me
My body gets hot
Don't need a doctor
I know what I've got

Caught a touch of your love
It came on overnight
I must have held you too tight
Last night
Caught a touch of your love

Your affection has affected me
I'm feeling kind of dizzy
And weak in the knees
I've been in love before
But never so bad
You're in my system
And it's driving me mad

The fever from your kisses
Tears me apart
It starts from your lips
And goes straight to my heart
No use pretending
'Cause, baby, I'm sure

There's no cure
And I've just gotta have more

Overall Meaning

In the song "Caught A Touch Of Your Love" by Grover Washington Jr., the singer expresses that they feel different, as if they have caught something, and they believe that something might have to do with the person they are talking to. The singer explains that each time the person is around, their body temperature goes up and they feel hot. They are experiencing the symptoms of what they call "caught a touch of your love." The lyrics suggest that the singer has fallen deeply in love with the person who is causing them to feel this way.

The feeling of being dizzy, weak in the knees, and feverish are all indications that the singer has fallen head over heels for this person. They have had the experience of being in love, but this time it's different--it's more intense. The singer is sure that there is no cure for what they are feeling and that they need more of this person's love. This song is poetic in the way that it describes the concept of being in love, and how it can feel like a disease that one can catch overnight.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm not feeling like I usually do
I'm experiencing a unique sensation

I think it might have something
I suspect it is tied to a specific cause

To do with you
Directly influenced by your presence

Every time you're near me
When in close proximity to you

My body gets hot
I begin to experience physical sensations of warmth

Don't need a doctor
A medical professional cannot provide a solution

I know what I've got
I understand the cause of my changed disposition

Caught a touch of your love
I have experienced affection from you

It came on overnight
It was a sudden development

I must have held you too tight
Physical contact may have contributed to the feeling

Last night
Recent occurrence