One of my favorite jazz musicians, Grover Washington Jr. was one of the
first to embrace the jazz-funk style. Born in Buffalo, New York, he was
given his first saxophone lesson by his father. In the early 1960s he
moved to Philadelphia. His most successful album was "Winelight".
Released in June 1980, it featured lead vocals by
Bill Withers on the hit
song "Just the Two of Us". The single reached #2 on the US music
charts. Washington's most memorable performances included playing in a
jazz and blues jam with President
Bill Clinton and such jazz greats as
Herbie Hancock and
Wynton Marsalis in 1993 and at Clinton's 50th birthday celebration
at Radio City Music Hall in 1996. Washington described his music as
"short stories without words." On December 17, 1999, Grover Washington
Jr. collapsed NYC while taping an episode of CBS'
CBS Saturday Morning (1997), and died a
short time later. He was 56 years old.
Blues Brothers 2000(1998)as The Louisiana Gator Boys
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band(1978)as Our Guests at Heartland
Will Smith feat. Turbo: Just the Two of Us(1998)
Will Smith: Just the Two of Us(1998)
Percy & Thunder(1993)
Neon Nights(2014)
Brian McKnight Feat. Jermaine Dupri: What's It Gonna Be(2002)
Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her(2000)
Bill Cosby: Himself(1983)
Cassie & Co.(1982)
The Clash(2018)
Madea's Destination Wedding(2025)
Wolfs(2024)
White Men Can't Jump(2023)
Right Here, Right Now(2023)
Late Show with David Letterman(1992)as Self
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno(1992)as Self - Musical Guest
An American Reunion: The People's Inaugural Celebration(1993)as Self
Ebony/Jet Showcase(1982)as Self
Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary(2024)as Self - Musician
Unsung(2008)as Self
Who Is Rufus Harley: An Hour of Television and Documentary Footage(2006)as Self - Musician
JVC Jazz Festival 1990(1990)as Self