Wiki: Leroy Vinnegar - upcScavenger

Leroy Vinnegar (July 13, 1928 – August 3, 1999) was an American jazz Double bass.

(2026). 9781852279370, Virgin Books. ISBN 9781852279370

Born in Indianapolis, the self-taught Vinnegar established his reputation in Los Angeles during the 1950s and 1960s. His trademark was the rhythmic walking bass line, a steady series of ascending or descending notes, and it brought him the nickname "The Walker". Besides his jazz work, he also appeared on a number of soundtracks and pop albums, notably Van Morrison's 1972 album, Saint Dominic's Preview.

Music career

Vinnegar recorded extensively as a sideman, but also recorded as a Frontman. He came to public attention in the 1950s as a result of recording with Lee Konitz, André Previn, Stan Getz, Shorty Rogers, Chet Baker, Shelly Manne, Joe Castro, and Serge Chaloff. He played bass on Previn and Manne's My Fair Lady album (1956) and on Eddie Harris and Les McCann's Swiss Movement live album (1969), two of the most commercially successful jazz records ever produced. Vinnegar also performed at the Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach, California, and Diggers in East Los Angeles in the late 1950s, with drummer and pianist Don Joham along with other musicians.

Vinnegar along with guitarist Willie Chambers backed Luke "Long Gone" Miles on his Country Born album that was released on World Pacific Records in 1964. Down Beat, December 17, 1964 - Page 34 BLUB W FOLK, By PETE WELDING, Luke (Long Gone) Miles, Country Born (World-Pacific 1820) Rating: ★ ★ ★

He moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1986. In 1995, the Oregon state legislature honored him by proclaiming May 1 Leroy Vinnegar Day. Vinnegar died of a heart attack, at the age of 71, on August 3, 1999, in a hospital in Portland.

Discography

As leader

Leroy Walks! (Contemporary, 1958)
Leroy Walks Again!! (Contemporary, 1963)
Jazz's Great "Walker" (Vee Jay, 1964)
Glass of Water (Legend, 1973)
The Kid (PBR, 1974; Q-Tape, 2005)
Walkin' the Basses (Contemporary, 1992)

As sideman

With Pepper Adams

Pepper Adams Quintet (Mode, 1956)

With Stan Getz and Lionel Hampton

Hamp and Getz (Norgran Records, 1955)

With Chet Baker

(Pacific Jazz, 1956)

With Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan

Who Drank My Beer? (Kicking Mule, 1983)
Bloodshot Eyes (Flying Fish, 1986)

With Conte Candoli

West Coast Wailers (Atlantic Records, 1955) with Lou Levy
Little Band Big Jazz (Crown, 1960)

With Benny Carter

Jazz Giant (Contemporary, 1958)
Swingin' the '20s (Contemporary, 1958)
Sax ala Carter! (United Artists, 1960)
BBB & Co. (Swingville, 1962) with Ben Webster and Barney Bigard

With Joe Castro

Live at Falcon's Lair! (Pablo Records, 1956)
Groove Funk Soul (Atlantic, 1959)
At Falcon's Lair with Joe Castro (1959)

With Serge Chaloff

Blue Serge (Capitol Records, 1956)

With Dolo Coker

Dolo! (Xanadu Records, 1976)
California Hard (Xanadu, 1977)
Third Down (Xanadu, 1977)
Xanadu in Africa (Xanadu, 1980) with Al Cohn, Billy Mitchell and Frank Butler
Night Flight to Dakar (Xanadu, 1980) with Al Cohn, Billy Mitchell and Frank Butler