Benny Bailey-age 79-RIP

[Kritavi]

I had the great fortune to see him playing with Dexter Gordan at the village vangurad with the Homecoming quintet. The audience included Charles Mingus, Lionel Hampton, Jackie McLean and Woody Shaw who had sat out the week so Benny could have a homecoming. Just a phenomenal trumpeter with a long career who will be missed.

[dolphyo]

wow! what a loss. Benny played in Dizzy's big band back in the day and also Billy Eckstein's big band with numerous future stars like Bird,Dizzy,Fats,Jug. in Europe where he moved to many years ago he was a mainstay for years in Ernie Wilkins bands and of course the Francy Boland-Kenny Clarke big band with Jigs Witham,Tony Coe,Leo Wright,Johnny Griffin,Shahib Shihab,Rolf Errickson and many others who passed thru that band. lets not forget that wonderful album he did with Eric Dolphy in Berlin in the 60's. a showman with a gorgeous tone and bop chops aplenty. he will be missed i'm sure and it is making me miss Thad Jones too for he was a wonderful trumpeter as well.

[jaysne]

Benny Bailey played one of the most inventive and humorous trumpet solos I've ever heard on the tune "Cold Duck Time" from the album "Swiss Movement" by Eddie Harris.

[gary]

I'm glad he was able to make a good living here in Europe, he sure deserved it. He's a good example of one of those (and I mean this complementary) "journeyman" musicians who are/were just excellent, who get neither the wider recognition of material rewards they are due. One thing I liked about the solos I heard from him is his turn of the unexpected lick or phrase. Great player.

[Tryptykon]

Benny Bailey was an undermentioned player that was there and saw what was
happening in the music from the inside.

One thing I noted in his tone, was a similiar thing that Miles had, early on,
I believe they both got from legendary, mythical trumpeter, Freddie Webster,
which was that kind of large, wide-open sound and attack/release of
the notes in the low to mid register.

Listen to Miles early Ballad work, sans mute.

Freddie died from an accidental OD;a *hot* dose that was meant for Sonny Stitt,who had burned one of the dealers out of some money. Anyway Benny
had that same approach to a BIG trumpet sound, that Miles was also going
for, due to Freddie Webster's influence.

Anyway, I think Benny was definitely carrying on that Freddie Webster thing,
in his own playing,and doing it quite well

R.I.P., Mr Bailey