Leo Wright

Wright was a first-rate alto saxophonist who was bop-oriented. He was also regarded as one of the greatest jazz flutists. His father taught him saxophone. He recorded his first recording in 1958 with Dave Pike, and the following year he performed at the Newport Festival with Charles Mingus’ band. Wright was a member of Dizzy Gillespie’s band from 1959 to 1962. Wright was a leader in New York’s early 1960s. He led bands including Junior Mance, Charlie Persip, Kenny Burrell and bassist Ron Carter. He recorded Blues Shout, his most well-known record, for Atlantic in 1960. The group consisted of Wright, Persip and Art Davis as well as trumpeter Richard Williams. Wright left Gillespie’s group to record and play with Jack McDuff, pianist/composer and organist. He recorded the Prestige label’s Screamin’ with McDuff. Before moving to Europe in the latter part of the decade, he also worked with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Johnny Coles, and Jimmy Witherspoon. He worked there with George Gruntz, a pianist and composer. He also played in an all-star band called Alto Summit with Lee Konitz and Carmell Jones as a trumpeter. Wright eventually settled in Berlin where he was a member of a studio band and freelancer. Wright and pianist Red Garland co-led a session in New York City for Muse Records in May 1978. Wright retired from music in 1979 and returned to the scene in the mid-’80s. Wright was a member of the Paris Reunion Band in 1986. This band included pianist Kenny Drew Sr., Nat Adderley and trombonist Grachan Montcur III. Wright recorded and worked with Elly Wright, his wife. Bayou Press published his autobiography God Is my Booking Agent in 1991 posthumously. His last recording was with his wife, on her CD Listen to My Plea. Allmusic

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