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Roy McCurdy

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Roy Walter McCurdy, Jr.
At seventy, Roy McCurdy looks forty-five, if that, is healthy, happy and continues to grow and mature as a musician and as a gentle, compassionate human being.
Born in Rochester, New York, November 28, 1936.
Education: Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York.
Roy will probably always be best-known for his important contributions to Cannonball Adderley's Quintet (1965-1975), but he has been a tasteful and stimulating participant in many other sessions through the years. Early on, he worked with Chuck and Gap Mangione in the Jazz Brothers (1960-1961). McCurdy gained recognition for his playing with the Jazztet (1961-1962), Bobby Timmons, Betty Carter (who was fairly obscure during his stint with her in 1962-1963), and Sonny Rollins (1963-1964) before joining Adderley. The supportive drummer was flexible enough to evolve with Cannonball's popular group during the decade of change. After Adderley's death, McCurdy relocated to the Los Angeles area, where he has played and recorded with the top local musicians ever since.
Roy McCurdy is one of the best­known and most highly regarded drummers in Jazz. He remembers playing around with his own, home-built drum sets at age six and he started formal drum lessons at eight. He attended the Eastman School of Music from sixteen to eighteen, and was playing professionally in local clubs at sixteen. Famous trumpeter Roy Eldridge heard him at this point; he played with Eldridge at sixteen and with Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson at seventeen. In 1960 he joined the Art Farmer ­ Benny Golson Jazztet and remained for two years.

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Music:

Member Since: 1/2/2007
Band Members: Roy worked with the Mangione Brothers group (Chuck and Gap Mangione) in the early 60’s. He later joined the Art Farmer Jazzet and then went with Sonny Rollins. Following Sonny Rollins he became a full time member of the Cannonball Adderley Quartet from the mid 60’s. McCurdy traveled internationally with the group, including a particularly successful tour of South America in 1972. In his spare time he does studio work for NBC movies of the week, and in featured on various record dates. When Adderley passed in July 1975, McCurdy started touring with Kenny Rankin. He also played on commercial jingles with Benny Golson and gigs locally with both Golson, Jerome Richardson, Pat Senatore, Pete Christlieb, Conte Condoli, Ruth Price, Jack Sheldon, Super Sax, Robin Ford and The Rippingtons to name a few.

He toured and has worked with: Blood, Sweat & Tears, The Pointer Sisters, John Klemmer, Toshiko Akiyoski-Lew Tabackin Big Band, Sonny Rollins, Art Farmer-Benny Golson, Betty Carter, Kenny Dorham, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Timmons, Ron Carter, Harold Land,Bobby Hutchinson, Kenny Burrell, The Count Basie Orchestra, Donald Byrd, Teddy Edwards, Herbie Hancock, Coleman Hawkins, Joe Henderson, Milt Jackson, J.J. Johnson, Jackie McLean, Carmen McRae, Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell, Jimmy Smith, Horace Silver, Martial Solal, Sonny Still, Clark Terry, McCoy Tyner, Joe Willliams, Larry Young, Ernestine Anderson, Chris Conner, Sonny Clark, Kenny Drew, Billy Eckstine, Chuck Mangione, Eddie Harris, Don Ellis, Shorty Rogers, Stanley Turrentine, Dionne Warwick, Hubert Laws, Charles Lloyd, Hampton Hawes, Patrice Rushen, Joe Sample, Blue Mitchell, James Moody, Mark Murphy, Bud Shank, Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson, Wes Montgomery, Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald. Roy is presently with Nancy Wilson.

Roy has recorded with: Sonny Rollins, Art Farmer and Benny Golson, Golson Jazzet, Bobby Timmons, Cannon Adderley, Nat Adderley, Joe Zawinul, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Kenny Rankin, Bobby Shew, Conte Condoli, Mark Murphy, Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson, Scott Hamilton, Art Farmer Quartet, Benny Golson Sextet, Count Basie, Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson, John Klemmer, Betty Carter, Kenny Burrell, Horace Silver, Chuck Mangione to name a few.

Influences: McCurdy counts among his influences Louie Bellson, Shelly Manne, Sam Woodyard, Buddy Rich, Papa Jo Jones, Philly Joe Jones and the bands of Duke Ellington, Jimmy Lunceford and Lionel Hampton. He's performed on between 150 and 200 recordings but, almost unbelievably, none as leader. The list of greats that McCurdy has played with includes Count Basie, Wes Montgomery, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Joe Williams, Herbie Hancock, Milt Jackson, Oscar Peterson, and Bud Powell among 100s. Roy has also played with Art Pepper, John Heard, Ron McCurdy, Jackie Ryan, Joe Zawinal, Blood, Sweat and Tears, etc.

Sounds Like: Roy McCurdy currently teaches at USC Thornton School of Music
Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies
Instruments/Expertise: Jazz Percussion
PH: (213) 740-3119 phone
email: [email protected]
Class: MUS 304

Record Label: unsigned
Type of Label: None