[shortwhite]

Just learned today of the passing of Mr. Aubra Graves. Wonderful sax player and mentor to some friends of mine. He had a sound for which we all aspire.

Here is a link to a previous thread about Mr. Graves: https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?102159-stumbles-across-this-one-aubra-graves

And a link for youtube videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL45FE96E6391D0697
If you just have time to check out just one, I suggest, "Autumn in New York".

There is also a Fans of Aubra Graves FB page.

Gonna go chase that sound now. R.I.P. Mr.Graves.

 

[saxyjare01]

That's so sad! Yeah, he actually knew how to play Jazz in a way that made people listen. Not too many of those kinds of players around. :-(

 

[buddy lee]

This sucks

 

[A Greene]

I didn’t connect with his name but them looked at the videos. I’ve been watching his stuff for years. Great player and sad to hear of his passing.

 

[Dr G]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful sound, Aubra.

Respect.

 

[saxoclese]

What a wonderfully lyrical player. To me his solos sound more like embellishments and variations on the melody than random notes and patterns that fit the chord changes. I came across this video of a younger Aubra Graves playing alto with a local big band in his area. As always there is not a single note "out of place". Thanks to Aubra's son for making videos of his dad's playing without which none of us would have ever gotten to know this great musician.

 

[10mfan]

I am very sorry to hear this.

He was a beautiful player and I’ve always enjoyed all of the great videos he has shared over the years.
His voice will live on for sure! If you haven’t checked out much of his great recordings on YouTube, you really should.

A beautiful natural player and he will definitely put a smile on your face.

 

[mascio]

i too was a big fan of Mr. Graves. Sound and Style, He had it all!

 

[1saxman]

I loved his style and sound - they don't make them like that anymore. I'm glad he lived during this period when the web existed so we all could sit back and just relish his lush, rich tone and ultra-smooth style.

 

[zapatista]

Wow, never heard of Mr. Graves until now. He was someone who knew how to fill up a Conn 10M!

 

[Swaman]

So sorry to see him leave us. He was an inspiration to me and I truly admired his playing.
Thanks for your beautiful music, Aubra.
George

 

[Guto]

Sad news. His son posted news on him just 6 months ago in the comments under this video:

following a question from Kirill (if you don't him, look him up!).

R.I.P. Aubra - thank you (and your sons) for the several videos you left us with your great music.

 

[cliveyx]

We will all miss looking forward to his next outing on his Conn's.

 

[Nefertiti]

RIP Aubra Graves. Such a beautiful player and I loved watching the videos of him playing. I hope I can continue to play until that age. He will be missed by me that is for sure.

 

[Humbardi]

So Sad....!!!!
I am a big admirer of mr. Aubra Graves. I downloaded all his songs from youtube and added to my music in the iphone . I heard him when doing my daily exercises ( jogging and biking). He was an example of how a good tenor sax should play. His improvisations were a masterclass on how to sing the sax with the proper notes and melodies...
Really , this is a very sad day for all of us that admired him and had the fortune to hear him through his videos...
God bless him and have an special place for him in the heaven’s orchestra...
Our sincere condolences to all his family and followers on SOTW. Rest in peace, Mr. Aubra Graves.

 

[widetrack]

The world lost beauty when Aubra Graves died. Rest in Peace, Mr. Graves. You made all of us better.

 

[GT]

Man, I feel like I knew him...so sad. He will be truly missed. I'm so glad we have his videos. I do my best to play along with them and emulate his sound.
R.I.P. Mr. Graves
and the best to your sons.
George Tinsley

 

[flava]

He has been an inspiration! Thank you Mr. Graves!

 

[41Conn]

I'm a little tied up now, but eventually I'll tell more of Dad's story. He was a unique and once in a lifetime player. Prodigy at age 16 already playing professionally. Joined the Army at age 17 and was the star soloist in the base orchestra on Guam. It was a band full of old pros (Porky Hankers), but they couldn't play jazz like him. After the war turned down many traveling big bands and continued to do so for the nest 20 years. Played locally with no desire to travel. Retired and picked it up again playing in local dance bands even doing arranging. His tone was all natural and all his own. He never copied anyone, never practiced licks. He was put on this earth to play the sax. Equally adept on tenor, alto and clarinet. Wasn't always a ballad man. He could burn as well. I think getting older actually made him a better balladeer. We introduced him to YouTube when he was 82. By the way, all of his videos are first takes, just what he blew out at the time, no strategic planning. He was not a teacher. His talent came easy and natural. It was my idea but my brother perfected recording him. My mother was his inspiration. When we lost her, he lost everything. They were together for 70 years. He actually quit playing because he lost the feeling in his fingers. He still had plenty of lung power. Complications from Covid got him, but his music will live on forever. Also, he was quite aware of all of his fans worldwide.

 

[mrpeebee]

I'm a little tied up now, but eventually I'll tell more of Dad's story. He was a unique and once in a lifetime player. Prodigy at age 16 already playing professionally. Joined the Army at age 17 and was the star soloist in the base orchestra on Guam. It was a band full of old pros (Porky Oliver), but they couldn't play jazz like him. After the war turned down many traveling big bands and continued to do so for the nest 20 years. Played locally with no desire to travel. Retired and picked it up again playing in local dance bands even doing arranging. His tone was all natural and all his own. He never copied anyone, never practiced licks. He was put on this earth to play the sax. Equally adept on tenor, alto and clarinet. Wasn't always a ballad man. He could burn as well. I think getting older actually made him a better balladeer. We introduced him to YouTube when he was 82. By the way, all of his videos are first takes, just what he blew out at the time, no strategic planning. He was not a teacher. His talent came easy and natural. It was my idea but my brother perfected recording him. My mother was his inspiration. When we lost her, he lost everything. They were together for 70 years. He actually quit playing because he lost the feeling in his fingers. He still had plenty of lung power. Complications from Covid got him, but his music will live on forever. Also, he was quite aware of all of his fans worldwide.

Thanks for sharing these details about your father and my sincere condolences to you and the family.

Your father was a fantastic player and inspired (and still inspires) many people with those beautiful YouTube video's.

Take care.