Matthew Gee
Encyclopedia
Matthew Gee was an American bebop
trombonist
and part time actor.
Gee played trumpet and baritone
as a child, and took up the trombone at age 11. After studying at Alabama State University
, he played with Coleman Hawkins
before doing a stint in the Army
. Following this, he played with Dizzy Gillespie
(1946–1949), Joe Morris
, Gene Ammons
and Sonny Stitt
(1950), Count Basie
(1951), Illinois Jacquet
(1952–1954), Lou Donaldson
(1954), Sarah Vaughan
(1956), and Gillespie again in 1957. In 1956 he released his only record as a bandleader on Riverside Records
. From 1959 to 1963 he played on and off with the Duke Ellington
Orchestra. Later in the 1960s, he played in small groups with Paul Quinichette
and Brooks Kerr
, as well as in big band
s with Sonny Stitt and Johnny Griffin
.
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
trombonist
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
and part time actor.
Gee played trumpet and baritone
Baritone horn
The baritone horn is a member of the brass instrument family. The baritone horn has a predominantly cylindrical bore as do the trumpet and trombone. A baritone horn uses a large mouthpiece much like those of a trombone or euphonium, although it is a bit smaller. Some baritone mouthpieces will sink...
as a child, and took up the trombone at age 11. After studying at Alabama State University
Alabama State University
Alabama State University, founded 1867, is a historically black university located in Montgomery, Alabama. ASU is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.- History :...
, he played with Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Randolph Hawkins was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Hawkins was one of the first prominent jazz musicians on his instrument. As Joachim E. Berendt explained, "there were some tenor players before him, but the instrument was not an acknowledged jazz horn"...
before doing a stint in the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. Following this, he played with Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
(1946–1949), Joe Morris
Joe Morris
Joe Morris is the name of:* Joe Morris , British film writer, producer and director. * Joe Morris , American jazz guitarist * Joe Morris , American studio drummer...
, Gene Ammons
Gene Ammons
Eugene "Jug" Ammons also known as "The Boss," was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, and the son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons.-Biography:...
and Sonny Stitt
Sonny Stitt
Edward "Sonny" Stitt was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. He was also one of the best-documented saxophonists of his generation, recording over 100 albums in his lifetime...
(1950), Count Basie
Count Basie
William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
(1951), Illinois Jacquet
Illinois Jacquet
Jean-Baptiste Illinois Jacquet was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best remembered for his solo on "Flying Home", critically recognized as the first R&B saxophone solo....
(1952–1954), Lou Donaldson
Lou Donaldson
Lou Donaldson is a jazz alto saxophonist. He was born in Badin, North Carolina. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker.His first recordings were...
(1954), Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Lois Vaughan was an American jazz singer, described by Scott Yanow as having "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century."...
(1956), and Gillespie again in 1957. In 1956 he released his only record as a bandleader on Riverside Records
Riverside Records
Riverside Records was a United States record label specializing in jazz. Founded by Orrin Keepnews and Bill Grauer under his firm Bill Grauer Productions, Inc. in 1953, the label was a major presence in the jazz record industry for a decade...
. From 1959 to 1963 he played on and off with the Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
Orchestra. Later in the 1960s, he played in small groups with Paul Quinichette
Paul Quinichette
Paul Quinichette was a jazz tenor saxophone musician. He was known as the Vice President or Vice Prez for his uncanny emulation of the breathy style of Lester Young, known as Prez. Young, who affectionately called everyone "Lady ****" , called him "Lady Q"...
and Brooks Kerr
Brooks Kerr
Brooks Kerr is an American jazz pianist born in New Haven, Connecticut, perhaps best-known for being bandleader of a small group featuring Sonny Greer and Russell Procope and for his knowledge of Duke Ellington's work, which he often performs.Kerr was a student of Willie "The Lion" Smith...
, as well as in big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
s with Sonny Stitt and Johnny Griffin
Johnny Griffin
John Arnold Griffin III was an American bop and hard bop tenor saxophonist.- Early life and career :Griffin studied music at DuSable High School in Chicago under Walter Dyett, starting out on clarinet before moving on to oboe and then alto sax...
.
As leader
- Jazz By Gee (Riverside RecordsRiverside RecordsRiverside Records was a United States record label specializing in jazz. Founded by Orrin Keepnews and Bill Grauer under his firm Bill Grauer Productions, Inc. in 1953, the label was a major presence in the jazz record industry for a decade...
, 1956) with Kenny DorhamKenny DorhamMcKinley Howard Dorham was an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer born in Fairfield, Texas. Dorham's talent is frequently lauded by critics and other musicians, but he never received the kind of attention from the jazz establishment that many of his peers did...
, Ernie HenryErnie HenryErnie Henry was an American jazz saxophonist.Henry played in the late 1940s with Tadd Dameron , Fats Navarro, Charlie Ventura, Max Roach, and Dizzy Gillespie . From 1950 to 1952 he played in the band of Illinois Jacquet...
, Frank FosterFrank Foster (musician)Frank Foster was an American tenor and soprano saxophonist, flautist, arranger, and composer. Foster collaborated frequently with Count Basie and worked as a bandleader from the early 1950s.-Biography:...
, Cecil PayneCecil PayneCecil Payne was a jazz baritone saxophonist born in Brooklyn, NY. Payne also played the alto saxophone and flute...
, Joe KnightJoe KnightJonah William "Quiet Joe" Knight was a professional baseball player. He played two seasons in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Quakers and Cincinnati Reds , primarily as a left fielder....
, Joe SimmonsJoe SimmonsJoseph S. Simmons, born as Joseph S. Chabriel, was an American Major League Baseball player and manager from New York, New York. Joe played three seasons in the National Association, the last year he was player-manager for the Keokuk Westerns, a team that would win just one game of the 13 that...
, Wilbur WareWilbur WareWilbur Ware was an American jazz double-bassist known for his hard bop percussive style.Born in Chicago, Ware taught himself to play banjo and bass. In the 1940s, he worked with Stuff Smith, Sonny Stitt and Roy Eldridge. In the 1950s, Ware played with Eddie Vinson, Art Blakey, and Buddy DeFranco...
, Art TaylorArt TaylorArthur S. Taylor, Jr. was an American jazz drummer of the hard bop school.After playing in the bands of Howard McGhee, Coleman Hawkins, Buddy DeFranco, Bud Powell, and George Wallington from 1948 to 1957, he formed his own group, the Wailers...
As sideman
- Gene Ammons: The Gene Ammons Story: The 78 Era (Prestige, 1950–55)
- Count Basie: April In Paris (Verve, 1956), Basie in London (Verve, 1956)
- Lou Donaldson: Quartet/Quintet/SextetQuartet/Quintet/SextetQuartet/Quintet/Sextet is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson featuring his earliest recordings as a leader on the Blue Note label performed by Donaldson's Quartet with Horace Silver, Gene Ramey and Art Taylor, his Quintet with Silver, Blue Mitchell, Art Blakey, and Percy Heath, and a Sextet...
(Blue Note RecordsBlue Note RecordsBlue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
, 1952–54) - Duke Ellington: Blues in OrbitBlues in OrbitBlues in Orbit is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded for the Columbia label in 1959 and released in 1960...
(Columbia, 1958–59), Swinging Suites by Edward E. and Edward G.Swinging Suites by Edward E. and Edward G.Swinging Suites by Edward E. & Edward G. is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded for the Columbia label in 1960 featuring a jazz interpretation of "Peer Gynt" by Grieg and Ellington's tribute to John Steinbeck "Suite Thursday"...
(1960) - Dizzy Gillespie: 1949-1950 (Classics)
- Coleman Hawkins: Body And Soul Revisted (GRP, 1951–58)
- Johnny Griffin: The Big Soul Band (OJC, 1960)
- Erskine Hawkins: 1946-1947 (Classics)
- Illinois JacquetIllinois JacquetJean-Baptiste Illinois Jacquet was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best remembered for his solo on "Flying Home", critically recognized as the first R&B saxophone solo....
:Flying Home: The Best Of The Verve Years (Verve, 1951–58); The SoulExplosion (OJC, 1969) - Sonny Stitt: Sonny Stitt And The Top Brass (Atlantic, 1962)