Eugene Joseph Wright (May 29, 1923 – December 30, 2020) was an American jazz bassist who was a member of the

Dave Brubeck Quartet David Warren Brubeck (; December 6, 1920 – December 5, 2012) was an American jazz pianist and composer. Often regarded as a foremost exponent of cool jazz, Brubeck's work is characterized by unusual time signatures and superimposing contrasti ...

Career

Wright was a

cornet The cornet (, ) is a brass instrument similar to the trumpet but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B, though there is also a sopr ...

ist at high school and led the 16-piece band Dukes of Swing in his 20s. He was largely self-taught on bass until his early 30s, when he studied privately with Paul Gregory and others.

Walter Page Walter Sylvester Page (February 9, 1900 – December 20, 1957) was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist and bandleader, best known for his groundbreaking work as a double bass player with Walter Page's Blue Devils and the Count Basie Orchestr ...

was Wright's idol. He became more successful at the peak of the

swing era The swing era (also frequently referred to as the big band era) was the period (1933–1947) when big band swing music was the most popular music in the United States. Though this was its most popular period, the music had actually been aroun ...

, with bandleaders including

Count Basie William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and the ...

and

Erroll Garner Erroll Louis Garner (June 15, 1921 – January 2, 1977) was an American jazz pianist and composer known for his swing playing and ballads. His instrumental ballad "Misty", his best-known composition, has become a jazz standard. It was first rec ...

. Playing with

Billie Holiday Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner, Lester Young, Holiday had an innovative influence on jazz music and pop si ...

and

Charlie Parker Charles Parker Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955), nicknamed "Bird" or "Yardbird", was an American jazz saxophonist, band leader and composer. Parker was a highly influential soloist and leading figure in the development of bebop, a form ...

, after the swing era ended, he demonstrated his versatility in

bebop Bebop or bop is a style of jazz developed in the early-to-mid-1940s in the United States. The style features compositions characterized by a fast tempo, complex chord progressions with rapid chord changes and numerous changes of key, instrumen ...

with such musicians as

Sonny Stitt Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. (February 2, 1924 – July 22, 1982), known professionally as Sonny Stitt, was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of his ...

as well as in

Latin jazz Latin jazz is a genre of jazz with Latin American rhythms. The two main categories are Afro-Cuban jazz, rhythmically based on Cuban popular dance music, with a rhythm section employing ostinato patterns or a clave, and Afro-Brazilian jazz, whic ...

with

Cal Tjader Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr. ( ; July 16, 1925 – May 5, 1982) was an American Latin Jazz musician, known as the most successful non-Latino Latin musician. He explored other jazz idioms, even as he continued to perform music of Afro-Jazz, ...

. He also played with

Lonnie Simmons Lonnie Simmons (December 12, 1944 - February 6, 2019) was an American record producer from Los Angeles, California. He was founder and president of the now-defunct Total Experience Records. As a composer, he co-wrote several #1 R&B songs for his ...

Gene Ammons Eugene "Jug" Ammons (April 14, 1925 – August 6, 1974), also known as "The Boss", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons is remembered for his accessible music, steeped in soul and ...

, and

Arnett Cobb Arnett Cleophus Cobb (August 10, 1918 – March 24, 1989)
accessed July 2010. was an American tenor saxophonist, somet ...

in the late '40s and early '50s, then worked with

Buddy DeFranco Boniface Ferdinand Leonard "Buddy" DeFranco (February 17, 1923 – December 24, 2014) was an Italian-American jazz clarinetist. In addition to his work as a bandleader, DeFranco led the Glenn Miller Orchestra for almost a decade in the 1960s and ...

from 1952 to 1955, touring Europe with him. He played in the

Red Norvo Red Norvo (born Kenneth Norville; March 31, 1908 – April 6, 1999) was an American musician, one of jazz's early vibraphonists, known as "Mr. Swing". He helped establish the xylophone, marimba, and vibraphone as jazz instruments. His reco ...

trio in 1955 and toured Australia with them. He was featured in a film short with

Charlie Barnet Charles Daly Barnet (October 26, 1913 – September 4, 1991) was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. His major recordings were "Skyliner", "Cherokee", "The Wrong Idea", "Scotch and Soda", "In a Mizz", and "Southland Shuffle ...

. Wright's highest profile association was with the

, which he joined in 1958. He remained with Brubeck until 1968, as part of the classic line-up with

Paul Desmond Paul Desmond (born Paul Emil Breitenfeld; November 25, 1924 – May 30, 1977) was an American jazz alto saxophone, alto saxophonist and composer, best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for composing that group's biggest hit, " ...

and

Joe Morello Joseph Albert Morello (July 17, 1928 – March 12, 2011) was an American jazz drummer best known for serving as the drummer for pianist Dave Brubeck, as part of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, from 1957 to 1972, including during the quartet's "classic ...

, and featured in the quartet's

standards Standard may refer to: Symbols * Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs * Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification Norms, conventions or requirements * Standard (metrology), an object th ...

Take Five "Take Five" is a jazz standard composed by saxophonist Paul Desmond and originally recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet for their album ''Time Out'' at Columbia Records' 30th Street Studios in New York City on July 1, 1959. Two years later it b ...

" and "

Blue Rondo à la Turk "Blue Rondo à la Turk" is a jazz standard composition by Dave Brubeck. It appeared on the album '' Time Out'' in 1959. It is written in time, with one side theme in and the choice of rhythm was inspired by the Turkish aksak time signatures. I ...

". He recorded more than 30 albums with the group. Brubeck himself wrote that Wright "grounded the group", allowing them "to play other tempos and do polyrhythmic things and he wouldn’t budge from this grounded beat". In 1962, he performed in Dave and Iola Brubeck's jazz musical '' The Real Ambassadors'', which featured vocals by

Louis Armstrong Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and vocalist. He was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and several era ...

and

Carmen McRae Carmen Mercedes McRae (April 8, 1920 – November 10, 1994) was an American jazz singer. She is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century and is remembered for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpre ...

; the work explored, through satire, the role of musicians as cultural ambassadors during the

Cold War The Cold War is a term commonly used to refer to a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. The term '' cold war'' is used because the ...

, and the racism Black jazz musicians often endured. When Wright joined the group, concert promoters would not allow a Black musician alongside the rest of the White quartet, but Brubeck would refuse to perform without him. After leaving Brubeck, Wright led his own ensemble on a tour of Black colleges in 1969 and 1970, then played with

Monty Alexander Montgomery Bernard "Monty" Alexander (born 6 June 1944) is a Jamaican jazz pianist. His playing has a Caribbean influence and bright swinging feeling, with a strong vocabulary of bebop jazz and blues rooted melodies. He was influenced by Louis ...

's trio from 1971 to 1974. He became known as "The Senator" or "Senator Eugene Wright" among jazz musicians. Known for nimble soloing as well as providing rhythmic backing, he worked with many other musicians including

Buddy Collette William Marcel "Buddy" Collette (August 6, 1921 – September 19, 2010) was an American jazz flutist, saxophonist, and clarinetist. He was a founding member of the Chico Hamilton Quintet. Early life William Marcel Collette was born in L ...

Vince Guaraldi Vincent Anthony Guaraldi (; birth name, né Dellaglio, July 17, 1928 – February 6, 1976) was an American jazz pianist best known for composing music for animated television adaptations of the ''Peanuts'' comic strip. His compositions for this s ...

Kenny Drew Kenneth Sidney "Kenny" Drew (August 28, 1928 – August 4, 1993) was an American-Danish jazz pianist. Biography Drew was born in New York City, United States, and received piano lessons from the age of five.Feather, Leonard, & Ira Gitler (2 ...

Gerald Wiggins Gerald Foster Wiggins (May 12, 1922 – July 13, 2008) was an American jazz pianist and organist. Early life Wiggins was born in New York City on May 12, 1922.Vacher, Pete"Wiggins, Gerry" ''The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'' (2nd edition). G ...

Kai Winding Kai Chresten Winding ( ; May 18, 1922 – May 6, 1983) was a Danish-born American trombonist and jazz composer. He is known for his collaborations with fellow trombonist J. J. Johnson. His version of "More", the theme from the movie ''Mondo Ca ...

Dottie Dodgion Dottie Dodgion (born Dorothy Rosalie Giaimo; September 23, 1929 – September 17, 2021) was an American jazz drummer and singer. Life and career Dodgion was born on September 23, 1929, in Brea, California. As a child, Giaimo sang in the band l ...

Jerry Dodgion Jerry Dodgion (born August 29, 1932) is an American jazz saxophonist and flautist. Dodgion was born in Richmond, California. He played alto sax in middle school and began working locally in the San Francisco area in the 1950s. He played in bands w ...

Lee Shaw Lee Shaw (June 25, 1926 – October 25, 2015), was an American jazz pianist and composer. Born Londa Lee Moore in Cushing, Oklahoma, but raised in Ada, Shaw would listen to the radio then play on the piano the songs she heard, as well as learn son ...

, and

Dorothy Donegan Dorothy Donegan (April 6, 1922 – May 19, 1998) was a classically trained American jazz pianist and occasional vocalist, primarily known for performing stride and boogie-woogie, as well as bebop, swing, and classical. Early life, family ...

. In his later life, Wright headed the jazz department at the

University of Cincinnati The University of Cincinnati (UC or Cincinnati) is a public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1819 as Cincinnati College, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Cincinnati and has an annual enrollment of over 44,00 ...

and the

International Society of Bassists The International Society of Bassists (ISB) is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization for anybody who enjoys the double bass. The society was founded in 1967 by Gary Karr as the International Institute for String Bass (IISB). After a two-year hiat ...

. He was the last surviving member of the classic Dave Brubeck Quartet line-up. He died at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles on December 30, 2020, at the age of 97.

Discography

As leader

* ''The Wright Groove'' ( Phillips, 1962)

As sideman

With

* ''Here Comes the Sun'' (MPS/BASF, 1972) * ''We've Only Just Begun'' (BASF 1972) * ''Perception!'' (MPS/BASF, 1974) With

* ''

All Star Sessions ''All Star Sessions'' is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded between 1950 and 1955 and released on the Prestige label.

'' (Prestige, 1956) * ''

Soulful Saxophone ''Soulful Saxophone'' is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons, compiling tracks recorded between 1948 and 1951, some of which were originally released as singles, that was issued by the Chess label in 1959.Jug and Sonny ''Jug and Sonny'' is a compilation album by saxophonist Gene Ammons, with Sonny Stitt featured on two tracks, collecting recordings made between 1948 and 1951, some of which were originally released as singles, that was issued by the Chess label i ...

'' (Chess, 1960) With

Dave Brubeck David Warren Brubeck (; December 6, 1920 – December 5, 2012) was an American jazz pianist and composer. Often regarded as a foremost exponent of cool jazz, Brubeck's work is characterized by unusual time signatures and superimposing contrasti ...

* '' The Dave Brubeck Quartet in Europe'' (Columbia, 1958) * ''

Gone with the Wind Gone with the Wind most often refers to: * ''Gone with the Wind'' (novel), a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell * ''Gone with the Wind'' (film), the 1939 adaptation of the novel Gone with the Wind may also refer to: Music * ''Gone with the Wind'' ...

'' (Columbia, 1959) * '' Time Out'' (Columbia, 1959) * ''The Riddle'' (Columbia, 1960) * '' Brubeck and Rushing'' (Columbia, 1960) * '' Bernstein Plays Brubeck Plays Bernstein'' (Columbia, 1960) * ''Southern Scene'' (Columbia, 1960) * ''

Brubeck à la mode ''Brubeck à la mode'' is 1960 studio album by pianist Dave Brubeck and his quartet. The album comprises compositions by the clarinetist Bill Smith; this was one of three albums that Brubeck and his quartet made with Smith. In Todd R. Decker's ...

'' (Fantasy, 1960) * '' Tonight Only!'' (Columbia, 1960) * ''Near-Myth'' (Fantasy, 1961) * '' Take Five Live'' (Columbia, 1962) * ''

Time Further Out ''Time Further Out'' (subtitled '' Miró Reflections'') is a jazz studio album by the Dave Brubeck Quartet released by Columbia Records in November 1961. It features the "classic" lineup of the quartet: pianist and leader Dave Brubeck, alto sa ...

'' (Columbia, 1961) * '' The Real Ambassadors'' (Columbia, 1962) * '' Countdown—Time in Outer Space'' (Columbia, 1962) * '' Brandenburg Gate: Revisited'' (Columbia, 1963) * '' Bossa Nova U.S.A.'' (Columbia, 1962) * '' At Carnegie Hall'' (Columbia, 1963) * '' Time Changes'' (Columbia, 1964) * ''

Jazz Impressions of Japan ''Jazz Impressions of Japan'' is a 1964 album by The Dave Brubeck Quartet. It was recorded on June 16–17, 1964 at the legendary CBS 30th Street Studio, except for "Zen Is When" which was recorded on January 30, 1960. It was released on August 10 ...

'' (Columbia, 1964) * ''

Dave Brubeck in Berlin ''Dave Brubeck in Berlin'' is a 1965 live album by Dave Brubeck recorded at the Berliner Philharmonie in Berlin. The album was only released on LP in Germany, after having been recorded for radio broadcast by WDR Cologne. It was not released in t ...

'' (CBS, 1964) * '' Jazz Impressions of New York'' (Columbia, 1965) * '' Angel Eyes'' (Columbia, 1965) * ''

Anything Goes! The Dave Brubeck Quartet Plays Cole Porter ''Anything Goes! The Dave Brubeck Quartet Plays Cole Porter'' is a 1967 studio album by Dave Brubeck and his quartet of music by Cole Porter, recorded between December 8, 1965 and February 17, 1966. Reception The initial ''Billboard'' magazine ...

'' (Columbia, 1965) * '' My Favorite Things'' (Columbia, 1966) * '' Time In'' (Columbia, 1966) * '' Jackpot!'' (Columbia, 1966) * '' Bravo! Brubeck!'' (Columbia, 1967) * '' Buried Treasures'' (Columbia, 1968) * '' The Last Time We Saw Paris'' (Columbia, 1968) * '' Brubeck in Amsterdam'' (Columbia, 1969) * ''Summit Sessions'' (Columbia, 1971) * '' 25th Anniversary Reunion'' (Horizon, 1977) With

* ''

Man of Many Parts ''Man of Many Parts'' is an album by multi-instrumentalist and composer Buddy Collette recorded at sessions in 1956 and released on the Contemporary label.

'' (Contemporary, 1956) * ''

Everybody's Buddy ''Everybody's Buddy'' is an album by multi-instrumentalist and composer Buddy Collette recorded at sessions in 1957 and released on the Challenge Records (1950s), Challenge label.Edwards, D. and Callahan, MChallenge/4 Star Album Discographyaccess ...

'' (Challenge, 1958) With

* ''The Artistry of Buddy DeFranco'' (Norgran, 1954) * ''Pretty Moods'' (Norgran, 1954) * ''Takes You to the Stars'' (GNP, 1954) * ''In a Mellow Mood'' (Norgran, 1956) * ''Jazz Tones'' (Norgran, 1956) * ''Sweet and Lovely'' (Verve, 1956) * ''Cooking the Blues'' (Verve, 1958) With

* '' Take Ten'' (RCA Victor, 1963) * ''

Bossa Antigua ''Bossa Antigua'' is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond featuring performances recorded in 1964 which were released on the RCA Victor label.

'' (RCA Victor, 1965) * ''

Glad To Be Unhappy "Glad to Be Unhappy" is a popular song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart. It was introduced in their 1936 musical '' On Your Toes'', sung by Doris Carson and David Morris, although it was not popular at the time, as there wa ...

'' (RCA Victor, 1965) * '' Easy Living'' (RCA Victor, 1966) With

* ''The Modernity of Kenny Drew'' (Norgran, 1954) * ''The Ideation of Kenny Drew'' (Norgran, 1954) * '' Kenny Drew and His Progressive Piano'' (Norgran, 1956) With

* ''Genesis'' (Prestige, 1975) * ''

Kaleidoscope A kaleidoscope () is an optical instrument with two or more reflecting surfaces (or mirrors) tilted to each other at an angle, so that one or more (parts of) objects on one end of these mirrors are shown as a regular symmetrical pattern when v ...

'' (Prestige, 1957) * ''

Stitt's Bits ''Stitt's Bits'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt compiling tracks recorded in 1950 and released on the Prestige label in 1958.Cal Tjader Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr. ( ; July 16, 1925 – May 5, 1982) was an American Latin Jazz musician, known as the most successful non-Latino Latin musician. He explored other jazz idioms, even as he continued to perform music of Afro-Jazz, ...

* ''Tjader Plays Tjazz'' (Fantasy, 1956) * ''Cal Tjader Quartet'' (Fantasy, 1956) * ''The Cal Tjader Quintet Live at Club Macumba San Francisco 1956'' (Acrobat Music, 2012) * ''Jazz at the Blackhawk'' (Fantasy 1957) * ''Cal Tjader'' (Fantasy, 1957) * ''Mas Ritmo Caliente'' (Fantasy, 1957) * ''Cal Tjader Goes Latin'' (Fantasy 1959) With

* ''The King and I'' (Challenge, 1957) * ''The Loveliness of You'' (Tampa, 1958) * ''Music from Around the World in 80 Days in Modern Jazz'' (London American, 1958)

References

External links

* *
Eugene Wright Interview
NAMM Oral History Library (2014) {{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, Eugene 1923 births 2020 deaths 20th-century American double-bassists 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American double-bassists 21st-century American male musicians Dave Brubeck Quartet members African-American jazz musicians American male jazz musicians American jazz double-bassists Male double-bassists 20th-century African-American musicians 21st-century African-American musicians