RIP Dave Bailey (1926-2023)

[colinmce]

Bill Crow has shared news of Dave Bailey’s passing at age 97. A wonderful drummer and bandleader who can be heard on a murderer’s row of classic dates from the 50s and 60s, perhaps most notably those of Gerry Mulligan. A blessing that he was able to have such a long and full life. 

[soulpope]

R.I.P  ....

[Rabshakeh]

What a wonderful player. Hard stomp but with a supple loose gait. One of my favourites in a hard bop context for the level of excitement he always brought. Those leader records are all excellent and will be played today.

[JSngry]

He sure did some playing!

RIP

[Ken Dryden]

Love his albums One Foot in the Gutter and Two Feet in the Gutter, along with his Gerry Mulligan records.

Edited December 30, 2023 by Ken Dryden

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I had no idea he was still with us. I haven't spun one of his Epic dates in a while. I'll try to do that today in his memory. I seem to remember liking "Gettin' Into Somethin'" the most.

[JSngry]

Anybody know how he spent his last few decades?

97 is a long time to live! 

[Niko]

There's some information in Bill Crow's Facebook post... Apparently Bailey gave up drumming and became a flight instructor...

[JSngry]

Whoa!!! 

[Dan Gould]

Love the Epic recordings as a leader (and also Reaching Out that got turned into a Grant Green leader date).  Grateful he hired Frank Haynes on some of those records, too ...

[Milestones]

I didn't know Dave had been around all these years.  I recall him being on several records by (and with) Grant Green.

 

 

[mikeweil]

1 hour ago, Milestones said:

I didn't know Dave had been around all these years.  

Same here. When he was called, he delivered. R.I.P.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Someone is saying that he was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII fame. If that's true, I'm somewhat surprised that this isn't making the news. He would have to be one of the last of them that fought in WWII by now.

[sgcim]

RIP, great grooving drummer.

[mjzee]

Yes, R.I.P.  I've enjoyed every session he's on that I've heard.

[Peter Friedman]

A very good drummer. He plays on many many recordings on my shelves.

R.I.P.

[JSngry]

A true swingin' gentleman of jazz!!! 

[mjzee]

My guess is that Dexter Gordon was a fan.  Dexter did "Lady Iris B," which first appeared on Bailey's "Two Feet In The Gutter," and "A Flick Of A Trick," which first appeared on Bailey's "Reaching Out."

Edited December 31, 2023 by mjzee

[jazzcorner]

Just played recently the only Item I have with Dave as leader

 

Edited December 31, 2023 by jazzcorner

[jazzcorner]

More on Dave Bailey from my DB archive:

 

[Pim]

RIP. A great drummer he was. Makes me aware that Bill Crow is still alive too!

[clifford_thornton]

On 12/31/2023 at 9:52 AM, Pim said:

RIP. A great drummer he was. Makes me aware that Bill Crow is still alive too!

+1

[Niko]

On 12/31/2023 at 3:52 PM, Pim said:

RIP. A great drummer he was. Makes me aware that Bill Crow is still alive too!

made me aware that Bill Crow is still delivering his columns, I read a few this weekend

https://www.local802afm.org/allegro/articles/band-room-december-2023/

 

[clifford_thornton]

I suppose Arthur Edgehill is one of a few in that generation of drummers (aside from Roy) still alive. Last I heard (pre-pandemic) he was chilling out in an assisted living facility in Florida. He too was born in 1926.

[Peter Friedman]

Aside from the numerous recordings he made with Mulligan, here are some of my favorite sessions with Dave Bailey as a sideman.