About this Artist

Drummer and vocalist GRADY TATE was born in Durham, North Carolina and began playing drums at the age of five. In 1950-51, while serving in the Air Force, he learned jazz drumming. He moved to Washington in 1959, playing with Wild Bill Davis. In the early ’60s, he went to New York to work with Jerome Richardson and in Quincy Jones’ big band. He later played with such greats as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Roland Kirk, Stan Getz, Kenny Burrell, Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, J.J. Johnson, and Billy Taylor. He also accompanied several jazz and popular singers including Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Blossom Dearie, and Lena Horne. As a drummer Tate is highly regarded for his forceful, driving playing and for his ability to adapt to a wide range of musical styles.