Grover Washington Jr. (December 12, 1943 – December 17, 1999) was an American musician who played the saxophone in jazz-funk and soul-jazz styles. He won Grammy Awards and is often seen as one of the key people who helped create smooth jazz, along with Wes Montgomery and George Benson. He wrote some of his own music and later worked as an arranger and producer.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Washington created some of the most famous songs in the smooth jazz genre, including "Mister Magic," "Reed Seed," "Black Frost," "Winelight," "Inner City Blues," "Let it Flow (For 'Dr. J')," and "The Best is Yet to Come." He also performed with other artists, such as Bill Withers on "Just the Two of Us," Patti LaBelle on "The Best Is Yet to Come," and Phyllis Hyman on "A Sacred Kind of Love."

Early life

Washington was born in Buffalo, New York, on December 12, 1943. His mother was a church singer, and his father collected old jazz records and played the saxophone. Washington grew up listening to famous jazz musicians and big band leaders such as Benny Goodman and Fletcher Henderson. At the age of 8, his father, Grover Sr., gave him a saxophone. In addition to practicing regularly, Washington secretly attended clubs to watch well-known Buffalo blues musicians perform. His younger brother, drummer Darryl Washington, also became a musician. Another younger brother, Michael Washington, was a skilled gospel music organist who mastered the Hammond B3 organ. Washington was part of a vocal group called the Teen Kings, which included Lonnie Smith.

Career

Washington left Buffalo and joined a Midwest group named the Four Clefs, later playing with the Mark III Trio from Mansfield, Ohio. Soon after, he was called to serve in the U.S. Army, where he met drummer Billy Cobham. Cobham, a well-known musician in New York City, introduced Washington to many other musicians there. After leaving the Army, Washington worked as a freelancer in New York City and moved to Philadelphia in 1967. In 1970 and 1971, he appeared on Leon Spencer’s first two albums for Prestige Records, alongside Idris Muhammad and Melvin Sparks.

Washington’s important moment came when alto saxophonist Hank Crawford could not participate in a recording session for Creed Taylor’s Kudu Records. Washington was chosen as his replacement, leading to his debut solo album, Inner City Blues. Washington was known for his ability to play multiple saxophones, including soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone, and was recognized for his work in jazz and his skill in blending with mainstream music.

His first three albums helped establish him as a key figure in jazz and soul music. However, his fourth album, Mister Magic, released in 1974, became a major commercial success. The album reached number one on Billboard’s R&B album chart and number ten on Billboard’s Top 40 album chart. The title track reached number sixteen on the R&B singles chart. Guitarist Eric Gale was a regular member of Washington’s group during this time. His 1975 album Feels So Good also reached number one on Billboard’s R&B album chart and number ten on the pop album chart. Both albums were important parts of the jazz-funk movement in the mid-1970s.

Throughout the 1970s, Washington released many successful albums, with Winelight (1980) becoming his defining work. He signed with Elektra Records, a part of Warner Music. The album combined R&B and easy listening styles. Washington honored the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team by dedicating the track “Let It Flow” to Julius Erving. A highlight of the album was his collaboration with soul artist Bill Withers on the song “Just the Two of Us,” which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. The album achieved platinum status in 1981 and won a Grammy Award in 1982 for Best Jazz Fusion Performance (Winelight). It was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

After Winelight, Washington is credited with helping many new artists gain recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s. These artists include Kenny G, Kirk Whalum, Walter Beasley, Steve Cole, Pamela Williams, Najee, Boney James, and George Howard. His song “Mister Magic” influenced the development of go-go music starting in the mid-1970s.

Death

On December 17, 1999, five days after his 56th birthday, Washington collapsed while waiting in the green room after performing four songs for The Saturday Early Show at CBS Studios in New York City. He was taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, where doctors declared him dead at about 7:30 p.m. His doctors found that he had suffered a major heart attack. He is buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

Tributes

There is a large mural of Washington, part of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, located just south of the intersection of Broad and Diamond streets. A middle school in the Olney section of Philadelphia is named after Washington. Grover Washington Jr. Middle School serves students in grades five through eight who are interested in creative and performing arts.

There is a mural honoring Grover Washington, Jr. in Buffalo, the city where he grew up and went to school.

Inductions and other awards

In 1992, Washington was added to the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk Of Fame. On April 24, 2023, Washington was added to the newly created Atlantic City Walk Of Fame, which was organized by The National R&B Music Society Inc. Washington's daughter, Shana Washington, was present to receive the honor. Jazz and R&B artist Jean Carn performed the induction. James Brown, The Delfonics, and Little Anthony & The Imperials were also added to the first group of inductees.

Equipment

Although he was later photographed with Keilwerth SX90 and SX90R black nickel-plated soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones on album covers, he rarely used them during live performances or in recordings.