Leo Wright

A first-rate bop-oriented alto saxophonist, Wright also ranked among jazz’s most accomplished flutists. He learned saxophone from his father. His debut session took place in 1958 alongside vibist Dave Pike, and the following year he appeared at the Newport Festival in bassist Charles Mingus’s ensemble. Wright became a member of Dizzy Gillespie’s orchestra in 1959 and stayed until 1962. While working as a sideman he simultaneously launched his own career as a leader, directing New York ensembles that featured bassist Ron Carter, pianist Junior Mance, drummer Charlie Persip, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and other notable players. In 1960 he made the album Blues Shout for Atlantic, the recording most closely associated with him, using a quintet that included Mance, Persip, bassist Art Davis, and trumpeter Richard Williams. Once he left Gillespie, Wright performed and recorded with pianist/composer Lalo Schifrin and organist Jack McDuff, cutting the Prestige album Screamin’ with the latter. Additional associations during this period encompassed composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, trumpeter Johnny Coles, and singer Jimmy Witherspoon. Later in the decade he relocated to Europe, where he collaborated with pianist/composer George Gruntz, joined saxophonist Lee Konitz in the all-star group Alto Summit, and worked with trumpeter Carmell Jones. He eventually settled in Berlin, performing in a studio orchestra and taking freelance engagements. In May 1978 Wright co-led a New York studio date for Muse Records with pianist Red Garland. He largely withdrew from music around 1979 yet resurfaced in the mid-1980s. During 1986 he performed with the Paris Reunion Band, whose members also included trombonist Grachan Moncur III, cornetist Nat Adderley, and pianist Kenny Drew Sr. In the period preceding his death he appeared and recorded regularly with his wife, singer Elly Wright. His autobiography, God Is My Booking Agent, appeared posthumously from Bayou Press in the fall of 1991. His final session was made with his wife for her album Listen to My Plea.