Jazz Bassist Ray Brown Dies
03 July 2002

Legendary jazz bassist Ray Brown, who played with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Frank Sinatra, and his late ex-wife Ella Fitzgerald has died. He was 75.

Mr. Brown launched his career during the Golden Age of Jazz back in 1945, when he was asked to join Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Bud Powell. That break touched off an illustrious career that spanned almost six decades.

Early on, Mr. Brown became a founding member of the Oscar Peterson trio. He subsequently joined the group, Jazz at the Philharmonic, playing major clubs and concert halls throughout the world.

In the late 1960s, he composed Gravy Waltz, which won a Grammy music award and became the theme song to the Steve Allen Show.

Mr. Brown died in his sleep Tuesday in the central U.S. state of Indiana, where he was wrapping up an American music tour. He is survived by his wife and one son.