B. Graff (b.graff@mailcity.com)
Sat, 18 Dec 1999 09:11:39 -0800
http://www.phillynews.com/inquirer/99/Dec/18/front_page/WASH18.htm
Jazz great Grover Washington Jr., 56, dies
By Frederick Cusick
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Renowned jazz musician Grover Washington Jr., 56, died last night after collapsing during a television production at CBS studios in New York.
Mr. Washington collapsed around 6:30 p.m. while waiting at the CBS studios after taping four songs for a performance on today's Early Show, said Hal Gessner, the show's executive producer. Security staff members were summoned and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, Gessner said.
Mr. Washington was taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 7:30 p.m., according to Jim Mandler, a hospital spokesman. Mandler said that the medical examiner has scheduled an autopsy.
Mr. Washington, who moved to Philadelphia in the 1960s, was born Dec. 12, 1943, in Buffalo.
A jazz saxophonist to whom the word virtuoso was often applied, Mr. Washington began playing the instrument at age 10. Over the years, he put out numerous albums.
His career took off in 1970 when he was featured on Johnny "Hammond" Smith's "Breakout" and arranged a cover of the Carole King song "It's Too Late."
Mr. Washington put out his first solo record, the acclaimed Inner City Blues, when he wound up doing a solo intended for tenor saxophonist Hank Crawford, who was unable to make the studio date at the last minute.
After signing with Elektra, Mr. Washington put out his most successful album. Winelight, which featured Bill Withers on the song "Just the Two of Us," made it to No. 5 on the charts in 1981.
Mr. Washington was known for attaining a middle ground between jazz and rhythm-and-blues.
A performance last year with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops at the Academy of Music captured the master musician at his peak. A reviewer described how Mr. Washington handled the old standard "You Are My Sunshine."
"It's a swinging tune," the reviewer said, "but Washington made it soar. He approached it gently, circled it, sent it skyward and then brought it gently to earth for a soft landing."
Beyond music, Mr. Washington enjoyed sports. He was a fixture performing the national anthem before 76ers games. He was a close friend of Sixers star Julius Erving and even wrote a song about the player, titled "Let It Flow."
Mr. Washington also participated in other civic affairs. Just this week, it was announced that he would perform at the Jan. 3 inauguration of Mayor-elect John F. Street.
Mr. Washington was also active in inspiring younger musicians. In April, he performed with students at Episcopal Academy. He talked about his attitude toward music.
"Every time I play in front of an audience, I think, 'This might be the last time,' " Mr. Washington said. "I try to make every day, every note, every thought count. Let the music happen; play what you feel from your heart. It should always be fun."
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