Grover Washington Jr (December 12, 1943 – December 17, 1999) was an American jazz-funk / soul-jazz saxophonist. He is considered one of the founding fathers of the smooth jazz genre.
Washington is perhaps best known for his 1974 hit single “Mister Magic“, as well as other songs such as “Inner City Blues” “Just the Two of Us“, “The Best Is Yet to Come“, and “A Secret Place“.
Grover Washington Jr was born in Buffalo, New York in 1943 and began playing the saxophone when he was 11 years old. He attended Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) in Atlanta, Georgia, on a music scholarship. After college, he joined rhythm and blues bandleader King Curtis, with whom he toured extensively, including two appearances at the Newport Jazz Festival.
Washington began his solo career in 1971, with the album Inner City Blues. He rose to prominence with his 1974 hit single “Mister Magic“. From the late 1970s onwards, Washington divided his time between his solo career and session work with various popular artists, including Bob James and Bill Withers.
Washington continued to record until his death from a heart attack in December 1999, at the age of 56. He is buried in Washington, D.C.
Backing Tracks – Mister Magic … Jut The Two Of Us
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