(October 11, 2017) He was known as an innovative jazz drummer and singer, but for many folks he was the guy who helped them learn their multiplication tables. We are sad to note the death, at age 85, of Grady Tate.
The North Carolina-born Tate first made a name for himself as the drummer in Quincy Jones’s band in the mid 60s. His innovative “on top of the beat” playing made his work recognizable to jazzheads, and was particularly notable in hard bop and soul recordings.
He went on to join the New York Jazz Quartet and even became part of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show band. He also worked with many of the jazz greats, including Count Basie, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery and many, many others.
(October 11, 2017) He was known as an innovative jazz drummer and singer, but for many folks he was the guy who helped them learn their multiplication tables. We are sad to note the death, at age 85, of Grady Tate.
The North Carolina-born Tate first made a name for himself as the drummer in Quincy Jones’s band in the mid 60s. His innovative “on top of the beat” playing made his work recognizable to jazzheads, and was particularly notable in hard bop and soul recordings.
He went on to join the New York Jazz Quartet and even became part of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show band. He also worked with many of the jazz greats, including Count Basie, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery and many, many others.
Tate affected the lives of millions of children by writing and performing many of the Schoolhouse Rock songs that were featured on Saturday morning on ABC. He more formally became an educator later in life when he taught at Howard University.