TT 556: A Chorus for Ray Drummond
*bows head for Bulldog*
Sorry to hear about the passing of Ray Drummond, known to the scene as Bulldog: The nickname was from the old British movie detective, “Bulldog Drummond,” but the sobriquet also suited because the bassist was so strong and relentless in his swinging groove. He always seemed happy and in the pocket, someone that just radiated a good time and could seemingly hook up any kind of situation with the right stuff.
For a while there at the Village Vanguard around the turn of the century, Barry Harris with Ray Drummond and Leroy Williams were the last bebop trio. Now they are all gone.
There are over 300 records in the discography with Ray Drummond on bass. Two of the best studio dates of the era:
Johnny Griffin The Return of the Griffin (1978) with Ronnie Mathews and Keith Copeland, documenting not just prime Griffin but the moment Bulldog came to NYC and took everyone else’s gigs
Tom Harrell, Moon Alley (1985) is notably strong Criss Cross date from the great trumpeter + ace band with Kenny Garrett, Kenny Barron, and Ralph Peterson, Jr.
The ultimate 1980s hang was the piano-bass room Bradley’s. I got to NYC too late to enjoy the real deal Bradley’s, but two records might give a sense of the flavor:
John Hicks/Ray Drummond Two of a Kind (1986) with a gorgeous “I’ll Be Around” opening the recital
Hank Jones/Ray Drummond/Billy Higgins The Essence (1991) — a great set list, well-recorded, and a sensational feel in the band.
I Like the two albums by the Kenny Barron Trio " Live at Bradley's", with Ben Riley and Ray Drummond.
My first real lesson in swing came in 1982 when I met Stanley Crouch at the Vanguard. We chatted and he invited me to sit at his table. Stanley told me to listen to the way Ed Blackwell's (whom he addressed as maestro) ride shimmer meshed with Drummond's ("King Grease") bass overtones. John Hicks was on piano and David Murray on tenor. After the set Stanley took me into the kitchen. I sat the entire time with my mouth open listening to those cats shoot the shit.