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The Jazz Network Worldwide Honors Dr. De Sayles Grey for his Book Acknowledgment: A John Coltrane Legacy Now Targeting the Educational Marketplace
Dr. De Sayles Grey brings a piece of history to the heart of the jazz community by sharing in depth interviews with musicians that played with John Coltrane as well as breaking down in detail Coltranes solos of traditional jazz standards. It's a must read for jazz enthusiasts.
(PRWEB) January 11, 2011
The jazz community is filled with many creative minds always looking in to the framework of well known artists signature sound. Dr. De Sayles Grey's love for the saxophone is what led him to pen Acknowledgement: A John Coltrane Legacy. Many jazz greats such as: Reggie Workman, Odean Pope, Slide Hampton, Curtis Fuller, Roy Haynes and Howard McGee were just some of the jazz luminaries that contributed to his book. “Acknowledgement: A John Coltrane Legacy is a historical approach to the music and life of John Coltrane. It includes interviews from other jazz musicians who played with him. It has a detailed analysis of each of the Coltrane tenor solos: Two Bass Hit, Ruby My Dear and Acknowledgement. The latter has a special feature called The Inverted Fourth Principle. It was used exclusively in Coltrane's "avante-garde" music. Nothing is said of The Inverted Fourth in any other jazz publication that I know. The book is a very exciting and informative read for anyone. It’s a must read for the jazz enthusiast". ~ Dr. De Sayles Grey
This book is one that can be used in schools so that educators can give an in-depth study as to how Coletrane approached his signature sound.
Music history seems to have always been an interest of author, musician, arranger, composer, educator and jazz historian Dr. De Sayles Grey. He has extensive knowledge from classical to jazz.
Starting young, he became a clarinet major as he was apprenticing at the Boston Conservatory. He was reveled by his contemporaries as one who was ‘always on point’ with his tone quality, for it was etched in his mind by his teacher as an imperative focus. He performed symphonies with his school orchestra by Hayden, Mozart, Mendelssohn and Beethoven as well as operas such as La Forza del Destino, Rigoletto and more. Studying theory gave him a strong backbone for any musical setting. This background was the foundation for his interest in John Coltrane.
Soon after his classical training, De Sayles found himself immersed in jazz and the baritone saxophone. Touring with major notables from every walk of the industry, from The Temptations, The Cecil Taylor Ensemble, The University of Pittsburgh Jazz Ensemble, Doc Hoilday’s Band as well as the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra.
De Sayles was ready to embark on his own musical journey forming The De Sayles Grey Sextet. More than 100 compositions and twenty-five arrangements are included in his accomplishments.
“It’s an honor to have Dr. De Sayles Grey’s book being featured on The Jazz Network Worldwide. We are all about the history of jazz and the trailblazers who had a signature sound and left a mark as a noteable innovator in jazz” says Jaijai Jackson creator of The Jazz Network Worldwide.
Dr. Grey's book is available on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Acknowledgement-A-John-Coltraine-Legacy/dp/0741482010/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364142689&sr=8-1&keywords=De+Sayles+Grey - PRWEB
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
My training was first in classical music and later I studied jazz, therefore my approach will be two fold in nature.
During my apprenticeship at the Boston Conservatory, I was a clarinet major. Attilio Poto was my teacher who also conducted the school orchestra. I remember he was always particular about tone quality. Man, he would stop me every measure or even every beat if he was not satisfied. It had to be right! Whenever I perform today I have other musicians who will compliment me on my tone. I played in the school orchestra. We performed symphonies by Hayden, Mozart, Mendelssohn and all of the Beethoven symphonies. Also we performed excerpts from operas such as: La Forza del Destino, Rigoletto, Simon Boccanegra, La Traviata, and more.
I studied theory with Minna Hall. She told me that I had a talent or gift and at times would be kind enough to say it in front of the whole class. I am grateful for that experience because if set the stage for something later in my life.
Dean Greslen taught me Italian. What a nice guy! He had a lot of patience with me because my Italian was not that good. He would say, “De Sayles, you’re doing great!” You could really speak Italian and they would understand you.” Well, he was right. One day I went to Rome as a tourist. I saw the sights and the Italians did understand my limited efforts to converse. I cannot speak Italian that would require more time in Italy. However, I was encouraged and inspired by him.
I was encouraged and inspired the whole time I was at the conservatory. Since then I took a serious interest in jazz, and perform on the baritone saxophone. I have toured with The Temptations, played with the Cecil Taylor Ensemble; The University of Pittsburgh Jazz Ensemble, traveled to Switzerland with the Doc Holiday Band, played with the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra and later formed my own group, The De Sayles Grey Sextet. I was a university professor; I authored a book entitled, Acknowledgement: A John Coltrane Legacy.
My Sextet is my life now. I’ve composed over 30 original jazz compositions and over 25 arrangements. Exactly what was it that Minna Hall saw in me? Could it have been an early manifestation of a composer? In support of one’s own artistic life, I consider mine was fulfilled which had its beginnings at The Boston Conservatory. With my training in jazz and my training in classical music… I believe I have the best of both worlds.
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