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Musician

Ronnell Bright

Ronnell Bright

born on 3/7/1930 in Chicago, IL, United States

died on 12/8/2021

Ronnell Bright

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Ronnell Bright (b. Jul. 3, 1930) is an American jazz pianist born in Chicago.

Bright played piano from a very young age, and won a piano competition when he was nine years old. In 1944, he played with the Chicago Youth Piano Symphony Orchestra. He studied at Juilliard, graduating early in the 1950s. Moving back to Chicago, he played with Johnny Tate and accompanied Carmen McRae before relocating to New York City in 1955. There he played with Rolf Kuhn and put together his own trio in 1957. In 1957-58 he was with Dizzy Gillespie, and acted as an accompanist for Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne, and Gloria Lynne over the next few years. His compositions were recorded by Vaughan as well as by Cal Tjader, Horace Silver, and Blue Mitchell. In 1964, he became Nancy Wilson's arranger and pianist after moving to Los Angeles. Later in the decade he found work as a studio musician, playing in Supersax from 1972 to 1974.

Selected discography

As Leader
  • The Ronnell Bright Trio (Polydor/Fresh Sound Records, 1958)
  • Bright' s Spot (Savoy, reissue Denon)
  • Bright Flight
  • After Hours Jazz
As Sideman
  • Coleman Hawkins: The Hawk Relaxes (Moodsville, 1961)
  • Charles Kynard: Where It's At! (Pacific Jazz, 1963)
  • Anita O'Day: I Got A Kick Out Of You (Evidence, 1975)
  • Shirley Scott: Workin' (Prestige, 195861)
  • Sarah Vaughan: Misty (Emarcy, 1958);
  • Sarah Vaughan with the Jimmy Jones Orchestra: Dreamy (Roulette, Fresh Souind Rec., 1960)
  • Frank Wess: Trombones And Flute (Savoy, 1956)
  • Doris Day "The Love Album," (pianist); recorded 1967, released 1994.

PERSONAL LIFE

Bright has been married three times. To: Sallye Joyce Wilson - From 1951 to 1968 To: Joyce Diane (Coco) Henderson - From 1969 - 1974 To: Dianne Davis - current wife and soul mate

CHILDREN:

Bright has four (4) children from his first two marriages.

1. Lois Rene'Bright Wilkins, born October, 1953 to Sallye Joyce Wilson, 2. Faye Bright Juliot, born February, 1958 to Sallye Joyce Wilson, 3. Ronnell Ralph Bright, born October, 1963 to Sallye Joyce Wilson, 4. Ronnece Laura Bright, born July, 1971 to Joyce Diane (Coco) Henderson.

GRANDCHILDREN:

Bright has eleven (11) grandchildren from his first marriage and three(3) greatgrandchildren. Several of them are carrying on his music legacy.

References

This page was last modified 27.03.2014 16:23:00

This article uses material from the article Ronnell Bright from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.