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Grachan Moncur III
Grachan Moncur III was born in New York City at Sydenham Hospital on June 3, 1937 into a musical family that included his Uncle Al Cooper, leader of the Savoy Sultans, and Grachan's father, Grachan Brother Moncur II who played bass as a member of Savoy Sultans. His father also played with such notables as Billie Holiday, Diana Washington, and pianist Teddy Wilson among others.
Grachan's early musical studies started at Laurinburg Institute under the musical direction of Frank H. McDuffie Jr. and Phillip Hilton, a very advanced trombonist and student. His trombone playing began with the all-state marching band and he eventually became a member of the jazz combo. He rapidly moved forward to become leader of the Laurinburg Jazz Septet, and musical director of Laurinburg's traveling musical revue that included singers, dancers and a variety of talented performers.
After graduating from Laurinburg Institute he attended the Manhattan School of Music and the Juillard School of Music. While achieving academic training he also performed as leader and co- leader with various groups that included such stars Wayne Shorter, Gary Bartz, and Blue Mitchell along with jamming at jazz spots such as Birland, the Open Door; The Five spot; Turbo Billage; Cafe Bohemia and Count Basies. Grachan continued his career with fabulous Ray Charles Orchestra. He worked with the group from 1959 until 1961. At a Ray Charles show at the Apollo Theatre which included the Jazztet, Grachan's outstanding solo performances were observed by Benny Golson and he was immediately recruited as the trombonist into the Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet. He performed with the Jazztet until it disbanded in 1962.
Shortly thereafter Grachan became musical director of the Jackie McLean Quintet that included Bobby Hutcherson (vibes), Eddie Khan (bass), and Tony Williams (drums). Grachan inherited the leadership of the group at the departure of Jackie McLean. The group performed for several years under Grachan's leadership at such famous clubs as the Blue Coronet in Brooklyn and Slugs in the Village. Under Grachan's leadership on various occasions, the group included Herbie Hancock and Clifford Jarvis.
During the Jackie McLean/Grachan Moncur III era, historical Jazz albums were recorded, One Step Beyond, Evolution, Destination Out, Some Other Stuff, and the classic jazz series double album Hipnosis, were all recorded during this period of Grachan's development. These albums on the Blue Note label featured Grachan as a trombonist and composer and lead to the acceptance of what has been termed "Avant Garde" opening the door for other musicians to record "new music" on the Blue Note Label.
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read moreGrachan Moncur III: Evolution
![Read "Evolution" reviewed by Greg Simmons](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/MoncurIIIEvolutionMusicMatters.jpg)
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One of the more unusual records in Music Matters series of Blue Note Records reissues is Grachan Moncur III's avant-garde classic Evolution, released here on a 45 rpm double LP. The Music Matters Blue Notes are among the highest quality jazz vinyl available, with fanatical attention to sound, packaging, and pressing quality, here doing serious justice to true milestone performance. Recorded on November of 1963, the date features the horns of Jackie McLean and Lee Morgan, as well ...
read moreGrachan Moncur III: Exploration
![Read "Exploration" reviewed by Clifford Allen](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/old/styles/gmoncur2004.jpg)
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read moreGrachan Moncur III: Exploration
![Read "Exploration" reviewed by AAJ Staff](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/old/styles/gmoncur2004.jpg)
by AAJ Staff
By Ken Waxman
Grachan Moncur III had strong associations with the Jazztet, alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, and tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp. An East Coaster, he brought a variety of sophisticated colors to his compositions using different instrumentation than the standard sax/brass/rhythm section of the hard bop combo.
However, the trombonist has had a very low profile in recent years. Moncur recorded frequently in the '60s, including several sessions under his own name, but by steadfastly holding onto his publishing rights, ...
read moreGrachan Moncur III: "Jammin' on the Hudson"
![Grachan Moncur III: "Jammin' on the Hudson"](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/890c11c095d4020fecb6a9be7d9f675a.jpg)
Source:
All About Jazz
Riverbank State Park in association with Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC, are pleased to present, for our fourth year: Jammin' on the Hudson"; The Concert series For The Serious Jazz Lover".
On Sunday July 24, 2008, we are proud to present one of the founders, of the so-called 'avant-garde' period, and a genuine 'Icon' in Jazz. His father was the bassist with The Savoy Sultans, and he has been keeping the tradition alive in his own right. A great trombonist whos' ...
read more
Grachan Moncur III: Jammin' on the Hudson
![Grachan Moncur III: Jammin' on the Hudson](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/890c11c095d4020fecb6a9be7d9f675a.jpg)
Source:
All About Jazz
Riverbank State Park in association with Brownstone Entertainment Complex, LLC, are pleased to present, for our fourth year: Jammin' on the Hudson"; The Concert series For The Serious Jazz Lover".
On Sunday July 24, 2008, we are proud to present one of the founders, of the so-called 'avant-garde' period, and a genuine 'Icon' in Jazz. His father was the bassist with The Savoy Sultans, and he has been keeping the tradition alive in his own right. A great trombonist whos' ...
read more