Hello…..I’m Grady Tate. Welcome to MySpace…
Please, let me take a moment to share a few things about me with you and I hope you’ll return with many of your friends.
Let’s begin here, … I was born in Durham, NC on January 14, 1932 and I began singing at the young age of four and taught myself drumming at age five. As a boy soprano, I thrilled audiences at churches and social events. Then, puberty hit and my voice dropped. It was such a devastating experience, from the time I was 12 until I was 19, I would not open my mouth because I was totally frustrated by that voice change. As a result, I never sang in high school. I graduated from North Carolina Central University with a degree in English Literature and Drama and a minor in Psychology and later taught English and Speech in Washington, DC, but my desire to pursue an acting career led me to New York City and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. At age 27, I moved back to New York, and soon became the full-time drummer for organist Wild Bill Davis, although my original intent was to pursue acting in New York. I later joined the Quincy Jones' All-Star Big Band and by the mid-sixties, I was one of the busiest studio drummers in New York City. My reputation as an outstanding drummer resulted in continuous work with Quincy Jones. Soon after, my natural talent as a vocalist was
recognized by the legendary Peggy Lee, when she heard me sing and introduced me as a part of her show. From then on my musical dimensions expanded radically and the rest is history. Currently I am a dedicated educator and mentor to young singers and musicians and I have been on the Howard University faculty since 1989. I am now a full time jazz vocalist and rarely play drums except on special occasions
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AS an Artist I was labeled a child prodigy… whose playing and singing knew no limit. As a drummer, I played, recorded, and collaborated with such jazz giants as Quincy Jones, Jimmy Smith, Duke Ellington, Stan Getz, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughn, Lionel Hampton, Tony Bennett, Pearl Bailey, Peggy Lee, Michel Legrand, Lalo Schifrin, Andre Previn, Grover Washington, Jr. and countless others. In addition I’ve released vocal albums on Skye, Buddah, Janus, Impulse and several Japanese labels while building an international reputation as a song stylist of the first rank. Some of my most recent CDs as a vocalist include TNT-Grady Tate Sings (1991) and Body and Soul (1992) both on the Milestone label, Feeling Free/Grady Tate Sings (1999) on the Pow Wow jazz label. And most recently released in Japan and the United States All Love/Grady Tate Sings (2002- 2003). And my most recent CD From the Heart Songs Sung Live At the Blue Note 2006 received a 4 Star Review from Downbeat Magazine’s May 2007 issue. In addition I have received three Grammy nominations as "Best Male Vocalist" in 1969 ‘Windmills of Your Mind’, 1973 ‘Multiplication Rock’ and 1987 ‘She’s Out Of My Life’. Many of you may remember me from my vocals on the hit tune “Be Mine Tonight,†with the late Grover Washington Jr. and others for my six years as the resident drummer for Johnny Carson's Tonight Show band. I also served as assistant producer, conductor and drummer for the Broadway show Lena Horne… The Lady and Her Music, as well as the Broadway hit Black and Blue. I’ve often been described as…
"The best singer to emerge from the ranks of instrumentalist since Nat Cole"
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Hey Baby… Thank you for sharing your time with me. Check my schedule and come by and catch a performance…or listen to my music
Thank you,
Grady B.Tate
I made my profile with the Space Builder at SpaceSpinner.com