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 1-25 of 47 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 101873 3/6/1957 East of the sun (West of the moon) Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101874 3/6/1957 Guess who I saw today Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101875 3/6/1957 My funny Valentine Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101876 3/6/1957 Dream of life Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101877 3/6/1957 Perdido (Lost) Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101878 3/6/1957 Exactly like you Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101879 3/6/1957 I can't escape from you Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101880 3/6/1957 The little things that mean so much Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101881 3/7/1957 The moon looks down and laughs Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101882 3/7/1957 Just squeeze me Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101883 3/7/1957 I never felt this way before Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101884 3/7/1957 All my life Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102291 4/18/1957 All my life Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102292 4/18/1957 Nice work if you can get it Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102293 4/18/1957 Between the devil and the deep blue sea Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102294 4/18/1957 I'm through with love Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102703 6/18/1957 Zigeuner Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102704 6/18/1957 I'll see you again Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102705 6/18/1957 Some day I'll find you Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102706 6/18/1957 I'll follow my secret heart Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102707 6/19/1957 If love were all Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102708 6/19/1957 Mad about the boy Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102709 6/19/1957 World weary Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102710 6/19/1957 A room with a view Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102711 6/20/1957 I can't do anything at all Carmen McRae instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 1-25 of 47 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Wright, Charles," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/211222.

Wright, Charles. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/211222.

"Wright, Charles." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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