Gigi Gryce

Who was Gigi Gryce?

Gigi Gryce born George General Grice, Jr. was an American saxophonist, flautist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, educator, and big band bandleader.

His performing career was relatively short and, in comparison to other musicians of his generation, Gryce's work is little known. However, several of his compositions have been covered extensively and have become minor jazz standards. Gryce's compositional bent includes harmonic choices similar to those of contemporaries Benny Golson, Tadd Dameron and Horace Silver. Gryce's playing, arranging, and composing are most associated with the classic hard bop era.

He retired from music in the early 1960s, due primarily to frustration with the financial side of his career.