Through his own record label and solo career, Albright has seen success, being nominated for eight Grammys over the last 20 years in producing 22 CDs. In the 1990s he also fronted a big band for and toured with pop star Phil Collins and did a dual recording with vocal great Will Downing. In the late 1980s, Albright launched his solo career in the infancy of what became the smooth jazz format, with “Just Between Us” in 1987. Playing both sax and bass, Albright started working in the 1980s with big names such as Anita Baker, Ray Parker Jr., Atlantic Starr, The Temptations, Maurice White and Whitney Houston. Later, when her bassist left in the middle of a tour, Albright replaced him and finished the tour on bass guitar.Īs he continued to tour with Rushen, Albright’s reputation grew and his name started circling the industry. However, after seeing Louis Johnson play in concert, he switched to the bass.Ī few months after graduating from college, Albright joined jazz pianist/R&B singer Patrice Rushen, who was in the process of forming her own band. “From there, I started putting the time in and truly learning my craft,” he said.īefore going to college to major in music, Albright said he played in garage bands and ensembles while working continuously to get better.Īfter enrolling in the University of Redlands in California, Albright was already a talented saxophone player. “After several lessons where I was not prepared and had not practiced,” Albright said, “the teacher talked to my parents about maybe trying something different.”īy the age of 9, Albright found his musical calling through playing the saxophone. Albright said it was clear from the start that piano would not be his path to a musical career. At the beginning, his parents enrolled him in piano classes. Music keeps me young, balanced and it is always therapeutic.”Īlbright’s love of music started at the young age of 8. I have always worked to produce the best music I can for the world. I am not in this vocation for awards though. When he got confirmation that it was not a scam, the 64-year-old Albright said: “It was the ultimate for me. I just felt like maybe it was too good to be true.” When I first got word that I had been selected, I was a little hesitant. “I was happy to just make that recommendation list. “It just surprised me completely,” he said.
Albright said he had heard is name was offered up for a Lifetime Achievement Award, but he did not expect it. The jazz icon recieved the award for volunteering 30 years of his time to bring the world music.Īlbright, a Castle Pines resident, said he is humbled and honored to be recognized with the award from Biden. With an independent career spanning decades and playing with some of music’s top performers such as Anita Baker, Whitney Houston and The Temptations, it is no surprise that Gerald Albright was recently recognized with a President’s Lifetime Achievement Award signed by President Biden.
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