Craig Bailey

Craig Bailey had already reached his mid-thirties when he surfaced in the mid-1990s as one of the generation’s most steadily inventive reed players with genuine long-term promise. His early musical activity took place in his hometown of Cincinnati before he enrolled at the University of Miami, where he completed his studies in 1984. Once he relocated to New York, Bailey performed with the large ensembles directed by Charlie Persip between 1985 and 1986, Slide Hampton, and Ray Charles from 1987 through 1991. Additional engagements included Panama Francis’ swing groups as well as recording sessions with the Nancy Banks Orchestra and Bobby Watson’s short-lived big band. In 1991 he became a member of the Tana Reid Quintet, then made his first appearance on record as a leader with the 1995 Candid release A New Journey, an impressive collection. Six years afterward came Brooklyn.