2 languages
Henry Grimes
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Henry Grimes was an American jazz double bassist and violinist, born on 3 November 1935 in Philadelphia. His parents had both been musicians in their youth. He began on violin at twelve, then played tuba, horn and percussion, among other instruments, and chose the double bass at high school. He studied at Juilliard and by the mid-1950s already had a reputation as a versatile bassist.
Music and breakthrough
Grimes played with Lennie Tristano, Lee Konitz, Gerry Mulligan, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, Anita O'Day and Benny Goodman. Charles Mingus chose him when he wanted a second bassist in his band. At the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, captured in the film Jazz on a Summer's Day, he played with six different groups at the age of twenty-two. Later he joined the free jazz movement and worked with Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry, Steve Lacy, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp and Albert Ayler. In 1966 The Call was released on ESP-Disk, his only album as a leader from that period.
Influence
Around 1970 he disappeared from the music world and was often presumed dead. In 2002 a social worker and jazz lover found him in Los Angeles, without a bass. He began playing again and recorded new albums, such as Spirits Aloft in 2010. He died on 15 April 2020.
Listening
Discography
Studio albums
- 2004Nile River Suite
- 2008Going to the Ritual
- 2009Solo
- 2010Spirits Aloft
- 2012My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains
- 2012Purity
- 2013Same Egg
- 2019Duology With Henry Grimes
In School of Rock
The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.
- After Hours: Session 3NL Reader