Ray McKinney dies

[brownie]

From the Detroit Free Press today:

Ray McKinney: Bassist had roots in bebop, jazz

August 11, 2004

BY MARK STRYKER

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Ray McKinney, an important modern jazz bassist from Detroit and a member of the city's dynastic jazz family, died on Aug. 3 at Henry Ford Hospital. He was 73.

Mr. McKinney -- who was the brother of the late pianist Harold McKinney and the prominent euphonium player Kiane Zawadi (born Bernard McKinney) and the uncle of young pianist Carlos McKinney -- came of age during Detroit's golden age of bebop in the 1950s. He was best known for his well-constructed bass lines, swinging time feel, charismatic presence and lightning tempos.

"He was a really lyrical bass player," said bassist Marion Hayden, who studied with McKinney in the 1970s. "His lines were steeped in a deep knowledge of bebop, so he had a great combination of being able to play lines that were really lyrical and really strong rhythmically."

In his formative years, Mr. McKinney worked in Detroit with nearly all of the leading lights on the city's thriving jazz scene, including pianists Roland Hanna and Barry Harris and saxophonist Yusef Lateef, with whom he would record. He also traveled widely during his career, working with such notables as the Detroit harpist Dorothy Ashby, drummer Max Roach and pianist Red Garland.

Mr. McKinney also recorded with saxophonist Harold Ousley and Detroit-bred alto saxophonist Charles McPerhson, with whom he made a highly regarded live recording at the Five Spot club in New York City in 1966.

Mr. McKinney spent much of his career anchored in Detroit, but he first left to go on the road in 1956 with harpist Dorothy Ashby's group and later settled in New York in the early 1960s. In the early '70s, he lived in California before returning to Detroit. Mr. McKinney is survived by his son Christopher, an actor in New York. A memorial service is planned for 5 p.m. Friday at the Chenault Funeral Home, 10300 Puritan, Detroit. A jam session-reception will follow at the Serengeti, 2757 Grand River, Detroit.

[Christiern]

Not to be confused with Ray McKinley...

[Hardbopjazz]

Man, this seems to be becoming a daily thing. Almost everyday someone is dropping dead.

RIP Ray.