Charles Wright

Charles "Specs" Wright (September 8, 1927 - February 6, 1963) was an American jazz drummer born in Philadelphia.

Wright played drums in an Army band until his discharge in 1947. Following this he played in a group with Jimmy Heath and Howard McGhee. In 1949 he joined Dizzy Gillespie's band alongside John Coltrane, remaining until it disbanded in mid-1950. Later in 1950 he was a member of Gillespie's sextet with Coltrane, Jimmy Heath, Percy Heath, and Milt Jackson. In the 1950s, Wright played with Earl Bostic, Kenny Drew, Cannonball Adderley, Art Blakey, and Carmen McRae, and gigged locally in Philadelphia. He was with Hank Mobley in 1958 with his septet alongside Billy Root, Curtis Fuller, Ray Bryant, Tommy Bryant, and Lee Morgan. Following this Wright played with Sonny Rollins, Betty Carter, Red Garland, Coleman Hawkins, and Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. He died in 1963. He was interred in Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey.

Birth and Death Data: Born September 8, 1927 (Philadelphia), Died February 6, 1963 (Philadelphia)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1957 - 1958

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-47 of 47 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 102712 6/20/1957 Never again Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102713 6/20/1957 Poor little rich girl Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102714 6/20/1957 Why does love get in the way Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103307 9/13/1957 Rich man, poor man Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103308 9/13/1957 Coax me Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103309 9/13/1957 Passing fancy Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104513 3/5/1958 Invitation Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104514 3/5/1958 Free and easy Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104515 3/5/1958 Moonray Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104516 3/5/1958 Lo and behold Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10646 12/5/1957 You're mine Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10647 12/5/1957 I remember Clifford Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10648 12/5/1957 A shoulder to cry on Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10649 12/5/1957 Dreamy Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10650 12/5/1957 Weak for the man Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10668 12/16/1957 All the things you are Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10669 12/16/1957 (What can I say) After I say I'm sorry Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10670 12/16/1957 If I were a bell Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10671 12/16/1957 Any old time Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10672 12/16/1957 What's new Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10673 12/16/1957 Without a word of warning Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 10674 12/16/1957 The night we called it a day Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 26-47 of 47 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Wright, Charles," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/211222.

Wright, Charles. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/211222.

"Wright, Charles." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/211222

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