Gerald Albright -- "The Musician's Musician"

Dec. 20, 2009

The contemporary and straight-ahead collections of saxophonist Gerald Albright have established the Los Angeles-based musician as one of the most prominent artists around. Indeed, Albright was one of the ten featured saxophonists who performed at President Clinton’s inauguration. He was also featured at the Presidential Summit, as well as several private functions for the President.

Having sold well in the neighborhood of 1.5 million albums in the U.S. alone, Albright’s self-produced music features him on bass guitar, keyboards, flutes, drum programming, and background vocals. Gerald has definitely earned the reputation as the “musician’s musician.”   His latest effort, “Sax for Stax,” has been nominated for a 2009 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album. While congrats are definitely in order, when will we start recognizing these efforts as contemporary/smooth jazz??

Whether he is playing contemporary or straight-ahead jazz, Albright stands in a class all by himself.  As one who approaches his music with love and fun, he is as much a very serious artist who obviously thrives on perfection.  He is known for his swiftness on stage, his unique round sound, which is percussive yet soulful. He has the ability to surprise the audience with something out of the ordinary and always  gives his audience what they come for - a great show.
 
Born in Los Angeles, Albright began piano lessons at an early age, even though he professed no great interest in the instrument. His love of music picked up considerably when he was given a saxophone that belonged to his piano teacher. It was further reinforced when he attended Locke High School, a breeding ground for many young West Coast musicians, where his peers at the time included Patrice Rushen and Ndugu.

Already a polished saxophonist by the time he enrolled at the University of Redlands, Albright suddenly switched to bass guitar after he saw Louis Johnson in concert A few months after graduating from college, Gerald joined Patrice Rushen, who was in the process of forming her own band, in which he played the saxophone. Later, when the bass player left in the middle of a tour, Albright replaced him and finished the tour on bass guitar. From then on, he often performed on both instruments.

Soon, Albright began to make a name for himself as a sideman of great insight and musicianship, playing on albums by a wide variety of artists -- including Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, Olivia Newton-John, the Temptations and Maurice White. He also toured extensively with Les McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, the Winans, Marlena Shaw, Debra and Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and many others.

Gerald Albright has also branched out as a TV star, adding to his already substantial resume. The saxman has appeared on numerous shows, such as “A Different World,” “Melrose Place,” a pair of “Morning News Shows,” BET jazz segments, as well as piloting a show in Las Vegas with “Designing Women” star Meshach Taylor.

Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Albright, he attended the University of Redlands where he received a B.S. degree in Business Management while minoring in music.

Immediately after college, Albright began to master his talent by working extensively in the studio with such artists as Patrice Rushen, Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, The Winans, Olivia Newton-John, The Temptations, and Maurice White. He also toured with Les McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, Marlene Shaw, Debra and Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and many others. In addition to numerous appearances at clubs and jazz festivals, Albright had also been a part of the popular Jazz Explosion tours, which saw him teaming up with contemporary jazz stars like Will Downing, Jonathan Butler, Hugh Masekela, Chaka Khan, and Rachelle Ferrell, to name a few.

Besides music, Albright is also a family man. He is married to his junior high school sweetheart, Glynis, and has two children, Selina and Brandon. As one of the most pleasant and approachable artists in the business, he believes in giving back to the community. He has participated in numerous fund-raisers for the NAACP, The American Cancer Society, and The Institute for Black Parenting. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, he constantly donates his talents to raise funds to promote academic excellence nationwide.

With 10 albums to his credit (not counting a pair of “Best Of” albums and a collaborative effort with Will Downing), Albright has cemented his reputation in the jazz world as a most magnetic force and a pleasant, real personality. Always a pleasure to see, hear, and greet, Gerald Albright has made jazz all the better with his presence.

Gerald Albright's Concert Calendar for the Remainder of 2009

Gerald Albright has no remaining tours for 2009.