R.I.P Henry Grimes (1936 - 2020)

The virus knows no sense of responsibility, like a terrorist with a knife or a shooter or a stolen car, it strikes indiscriminately. A nurse, a carer, a doctor or any person doing their job - anyone.

Over the past few weeks many jazz musicians have succumbed - Henry Grimes being the latest.

Grimes worked with Thelonius Monk, Charles Mingus, Cecil Taylor, Gerry Mulligan, Albert Ayler, McCoy Tyner, Lee Konitz, Sonny Rollins and Pharoah Sanders, among others.

I only saw him the once at a concert in Gateshead Town Hall promoted by JNE. He was with The Profound Sound Trio - Andrew Cyrille (drums) and Paul Dunmall (tenor/sop/bagpipes). 

This was in 2009 and, although the concert was given a standing ovation, it was slightly beyond my ken at the time - probably still would be. However, Henry Grimes' bass playing was absolutely top draw even if I didn't quite click with his violin playing.

But, my thoughts are irrelevant, the man is acknowledged as an all time great and, when I (and probably the rest of the jazz world) received this Christmas card in 2009, bearing in mind that BSH was still swimming in the shallow end, I was emotionally moved.

Henry Grimes died on April 18, he was 84.

Lance,

DownBeat obituary.