- Leroy Vinnegar
Leroy Vinnegar (
July 13 1928 –August 3 1999 ) was an Americanjazz bassist.Born in
Indianapolis , the self-taught Vinnegar established his reputation inLos Angeles during the 1950s and '60s. His trademark was the rhythmic "walking" bass line, a steady series of ascending or descending notes, and it brought him the nickname "The Walker". Besides his jazz work, he also appeared on a number of soundtracks and pop albums, notablyVan Morrison 's 1972 album, "Saint Dominic's Preview ".He recorded extensively as both a leader and
sideman . He came to public attention in the 1950s as a result of recording withAndré Previn ,Stan Getz ,Shorty Rogers ,Chet Baker ,Shelly Manne , Joe Castro andSerge Chaloff . He played bass on Previn and Manne's "My Fair Lady" album, one of the most successfuljazz records ever produced. He also performed on another of jazz's biggest hit albums,Eddie Harris andLes McCann 's "Swiss Movement", released in 1969.He moved to Portland,
Oregon . in 1986. In 1995, the Oregon State Legislature honored him by proclaimingMay 1 Leroy Vinnegar Day.Leroy Vinnegar died from a heart attack, at the age of 71, on
August 3 1999 , in a hospital in Portland.elect discography
As a leader:
* "Leroy Walks! " (1957;Original Jazz Classics )
* "Leroy Walks Again! " (1962;Fantasy Records )
* "Walkin' the Bases " (1992;Contemporary Records )As a sideman:
* "My Fair Lady" byShelly Manne & His Friends (1956;Contemporary Records )
* "Live at Falcon's Lair!" byZoot Sims with the Joe Castro Trio (1956;Pablo Records )
* "Groove Funk Soul!" by Joe Castro (1958;Atlantic Records )
* "At Falcon's Lair with Joe Castro" 1959 (Teddy Edwards split LP withSonny Rollins "At Music Inn")(1959;Metrojazz Records )
* "Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster " (1959; Verve)
* "Saturday Morning" bySonny Criss (1975;Xanadu Records )
* "California Hard " byDolo Coker (1977;Xanadu Records )
* "Keystones! " byRed Garland (1977;Xanadu Records )
* "Home Is Where The Soul Is " byKenny Drew (1978;Xanadu Records )
* "For Sure! " byKenny Drew (1978;Xanadu Records )External links
* [http://home.earthlink.net/~joflee/Leroy.htm Bio]
Persondata
NAME = Vinnegar, Leroy
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = American bassist
DATE OF BIRTH =July 13 ,1928
PLACE OF BIRTH =Indianapolis ,Minnesota
DATE OF DEATH =August 3 ,1999
PLACE OF DEATH = Portland,Oregon
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