Gerald Albright

A native Californian, Gerald Albright grew up in South Central Los Angeles. After high school, he attended the University of Redlands where he received a B.S. degree in Business Management, minoring in Music.

Immediately after college, Albright began to master his talent by working extensively in the studio with such artists as Patrice Rushen, Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, The Winans, Olivia Newton-John, The Temptations, and Maurice White. He also toured with Les McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, Marlene Shaw, Debra and Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and many others. In addition to numerous appearances at clubs and jazz festivals, Albright had also been a part of the popular Jazz Explosion tours, which saw him teaming up with contemporary jazz stars like Will Downing, Jonathan Butler, Hugh Masekela, Chaka Khan, and Rachelle Ferrell, to name a few.

Gerald Albright has also branched out as a TV Star to his already substantial resume. The saxman has appeared on numerous shows, such as “A Different World,” “Melrose Place,” Channels 2 and 5 “Morning News Shows,” “BET” jazz segments as well as piloting a show in Las Vegas with “Designing Women” star Meshach Taylor.

Albright's contemporary and straight-ahead collections have established the Los Angeles-based musician as one of the most prominent artists. Indeed, Albright was one of the ten featured saxophonists who performed at President Clinton’s inauguration. He was also featured at the Presidential Summit, as well as several private functions for the President.

Albright had sold over 1,000,000 albums in the U.S. alone. His self-produced music features him on bass guitar, keyboards, flutes, drum programming, and background vocals. Gerald has definitely earned the reputation as the “musician’s musician.”

Besides music, Albright is also a family man. He is married to his junior high school sweetheart, Glynis, and has two children, Selina and Brandon. He believes in giving back to the community. He has participated in numerous fund-raisers for the NAACP, The American Cancer Society, and The Institute for Black Parenting. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, he constantly donates his talents to raise funds to promote academic excellence nationwide.

Whether he is playing contemporary or straight-ahead jazz, Albright stands in a class all by himself. He is known for his swiftness on stage, his unique round sound which is percussive yet soulful. He has the ability to surprise the audience with something out of the ordinary. Albright gives his audience what they come for - a great show!

Randal Clark: Imaginary World

Read "Imaginary World" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
May 28, 2021

Randal Clark's Imaginary World stretches beyond the conscious boundaries and illuminates the dark corners. It's clear from the onset that it is steeped in jazz tradition with a giant foothold on both rhythmic and melodic foundations. Clark establishes himself early and never lets go. Too often a buoyant blast off can ultimately fade away into the abyss of both the imaginary and conscious recesses of the mind or a once steaming groove can melt into the wallpaper. Even the most ...

Album Review

Gerald Albright and Norman Brown: 24/7

by Jeff Winbush
July 12, 2012

No instruments dominate smooth jazz more than the guitar and saxophone, which is why Gerald Albright and Norman Brown, two of the genre's most dominant players, make such an inspired pairing. Both musicians are on the top of their game and while 24/7 breaks no new ground, it does provide perfect listening for warm summer nights when a cool groove is required.Multi-instrumentalist Albright's array of saxophones and robust tone tends to slightly overshadow Brown's deft guitar playing at ...

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Album Review

Gerald Albright: Pushing the Envelope

Read "Pushing the Envelope" reviewed by Woodrow Wilkins

by Woodrow Wilkins
June 22, 2010

Whether the economy, the climate or war, the world faces a multitude of crises. During times like these, music can be a valuable healing force. Saxophonist and producer Gerald Albright takes that approach with Pushing the Envelope. Albright counts saxophonist Maceo Parker and Julian Cannonball" Adderley among his influences. His career has included work as both a band leader and a sideman. Among his associations are Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Teena Marie and Maurice White. For Pushing the ...

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Album Review

Gerald Albright: Sax for Stax

Read "Sax for Stax" reviewed by Woodrow Wilkins

by Woodrow Wilkins
July 5, 2008

It's all about Memphis with Gerald Albright's Sax for Stax. The veteran saxophonist revisits the sounds of the 1960s and '70s that helped define a label and, to a certain degree, a generation of soul musicians. A native of Los Angeles, Albright has effortless straddled the line between jazz and R&B, making music that is easily accepted by fans of one genre or the other. His inspirations include such tenor sax legends as John Coltrane and Eddie Harris, ...

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Album Review

Gerald Albright: New Beginnings

Read "New Beginnings" reviewed by Woodrow Wilkins

by Woodrow Wilkins
April 16, 2006

The best songs on New Beginnings come before the midway point. Even so, the rest isn't bad. With a variable lineup of sidemen, including Walter and Wallace Scott of the Whispers, Jeff Lorber and Paul Jackson Jr., Gerald Albright delivers a nice mix of smooth jazz and instrumental soul grooves on his Peak Records debut. Albright began professionally by touring with keyboardist Patrice Rushen, who appears on the title song, and becoming a first-call fixture by other ...

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Album Review

Gerald Albright: Groovology

Read "Groovology" reviewed by Mike Perciaccante

by Mike Perciaccante
August 1, 2002

Saxophonist extraordinaire Gerald Albright is back with his smooth grooves, hence the name of this, his ninth album. Chock full of passionate, fresh tracks and hooks that grab the listener and don't let go, Groovology delivers on every level.

Albright has brought in a top-flight roster of sidemen who bring on the funk, and the R&B and, of course, some of the coolest jazz. There are some fine offerings on this CD. “Old School Jam" and the title ...

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Album Review

Gerald Albright: The Very Best of Gerald Albright

by Dave Hughes
September 1, 2001

Versatile sax man Gerald Albright has been in high demand of late. His name shows up with remarkable frequency in CD booklets in a wide variety of contexts, from contemporary to Latin to straight-ahead, and everywhere in between. Albright brings a high degree of proficiency and sincerity to everything he plays. In addition to being versatile in terms of musical styles, he’s not just a saxophonist; he performs his own bass (electric bass as well as keyboard) on several of ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Fourth annual Richard McDonnell Scholarship Concert, Gerald Albright, No BS! Brass Band, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
June 14, 2017

This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes a concert raising funds for music scholarships in honor of a much-loved local jazz supporter; gigs from a popular, groove-oriented saxophonist and a New Orleans-style brass band, and more. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, June 14 The third annual Richard McDonnell Scholarship Concert will take place at Jazz at the Bistro, featuring drummer Matt Wilson, members of Good 4 The Soul and the Funky Butt Brass ...
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Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Gerald Albright

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
June 10, 2017

This week, StLJN's video spotlight shines on saxophonist Gerald Albright, who will be back in St. Louis to perform on Friday, June 16 at the Sheldon Concert Hall as part of “A Salute to Fathers and Mentors," also featuring singer Denise Thimes, saxophonist Tim Cunningham, and comedian James Stephens III. A native of Los Angeles, Albright first gained public attention as a solo artist in the mid-1980s after touring as a sideman with Patrice Rushen and Alphonse Mouzon. With a ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Sax for Stax with Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum, All That Tap Xviii, Dr. John, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
July 30, 2009

As we head toward August and what's usually the slow time of the year for live jazz in St. Louis, there are still some noteworthy performances happening, including a couple of touring acts that are passing through town in the next few days.On Thursday, saxophonists Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum (pictured) bring their “Sax for Stax" tour to the Ameristar Casino St Charles' Bottleneck Blues Bar. Named after Albright's recent CD that paid tribute to the hitmaking Memphis ...
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Video / DVD

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: "Sax for Stax" with Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
July 19, 2009

This week, let's take a look at some video clips of performance excepts from the “Sax For Stax" tour featuring saxophonists Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum. The tour, named after Albright's recent CD of songs made famous by the legendary Memphis R&B label, comes to the St. Louis area for a show on Thursday, July 30 at the Ameristar Casino St. Charles' Bottleneck Blues Bar. Both men have been frequent ...
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Performance / Tour

Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum to Play Ameristar's Bottleneck Blues Bar on July 30

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
April 10, 2009

Saxophonists Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum (pictured) will bring their “Sax for Stax" tour to the St. Louis area for a show on Thursday, July 30 at Ameristar Casino St. Charles' Bottleneck Blues Bar.The tour is named after Albright's 2008 CD in which the Memphis native paid tribute to his hometown with instrumental versions of tunes associated with Stax Records, the Memphis-based label that was home to Sam & Dave, Isaac Hayes, Johnnie Taylor, the Staple Singers, and ...
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Recording

Peak Records Release New Gerald Albright Album 'Sax for Stax'

Source: On Target Media Group
June 24, 2008

SAX VIRTUOSO GERALD ALBRIGHT PAYS HOMAGE TO STAX RECORDS ON NEW ALBUM SAX FOR STAX, AN 11-TRACK SOUL-INSPIRED ALBUM IN STORES THIS WEEK (JUNE 24) This week Peak Records (Concord Music Group) will release Sax for Stax, the latest album from one of the most respected and sought after Jazz / R&B crossover saxophonists, Gerald Albright. Consisting of eight passionately rendered covers of Stax classics, plus three originals written with Memphis in mind, Sax for Stax pays tribute to the ...
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Music Industry

Will Downing and Gerald Albright Announce "Rhythm of Love" Tour

Source: All About Jazz

GRP recording artists Will Downing and Gerald Albright are proud to announce their Rhythm of Love tour for the summer of 2002. During these dates, Downing and Albright will perform music from their new GRP releases, as well as the music from their chart-topping 1998 release Pleasures of the Night. Vocalist Patti Austin is also a featured artist on this tour.

With eight albums, sales of more than one million units, bragging rights to chart status in the R&B, adult, ...
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