| Roy McCurdy |
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Roy McCurdy will probably always be best-known for his important contributions to Cannonball Adderley’s Quintet (1965-1975), but he has been a tasteful and stimulating participant in many other sessions through the years. Roy McCurdyEarly on, he worked with Chuck and Gap Mangione in the Jazz Brothers (1960-1961). McCurdy gained recognition for his playing with the Jazztet (1961-1962), Bobby Timmons, Betty Carter (who was fairly obscure during his stint with her in 1962-1963) and Sonny Rollins (1963-1964) before joining Adderley. The supportive drummer was flexible enough to evolve with Cannonball’'s popular group during the decade of change. After Adderley’'s death, McCurdy relocated to the Los Angeles area, where he has played and recorded with the top local musicians ever since. McCurdy remembers playing around with his own home-built drum sets at age six and he started formal drum lessons at eight. He attended the Eastman School of Music from ages 16 to 18, and was playing professionally in local clubs at 16. Famous trumpeter Roy Eldridge heard him at this point; he played with Eldridge at 16 and with Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson at 17. In 1960 he joined the Art Farmer Benny Golson Jazztet and remained for two years. McCurdy counts among his influences Louie Bellson, Shelly Manne, Sam Woodyard, Buddy Rich, “Papa” Jo Jones, Philly Joe Jones and the bands of Duke Ellington, Jimmy Lunceford and Lionel Hampton. He’ has performed on between 150 and 200 recordings. The list of greats that McCurdy has played with includes Count Basie, Wes Montgomery, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Joe Williams, Herbie Hancock, Milt Jackson, Oscar Peterson and Bud Powell. Roy has also played with Art Pepper, John Heard, Ron McCurdy, Jackie Ryan, Joe Zawinal, Blood, Sweat and Tears, etc. Roy McCurdy Discography Appears On |
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