Well, let me start off the writings here.  Mr. Grover Washington, Jr, affectionately also known as "G-Man", was one of the first musicians in history to successfully bridge the gap between funk, blues and jazz. Period.

The last time I saw G-Man was in Ohio this summer.  It was a magical time because that's when I introduced him to baritone sensation Will Downing (Talk about wishing I should have had a camera).  I would have never thought that he would have left us so soon after. 56 years old.  Had survived an illness earlier this year and actually played a number of dates this summer on the comeback trail.  He was a very beautiful human being that was passionate about doing music his way.  He was just up in Peekskill, NY in October/99 at the Paramount Theatre, 5 minutes from my family's house.  I tried to get my mother tickets but he didn't have any, but even in the upstate wilds of Westchester County, NY, Grover was a big hit.

My (12/16/99) Friday diary was real deep.  I was in New Haven, sitting in with Marion Meadows.  We have a 4:00am dialogue after Marion's show and we're talking about the y2k and jazz and of course, we talk about Mr. Grover. We both admired his longevity. Later that morning, about 11:00am, I turn on the radio and they are playing cuts from his latest Sony Cd on cd101.9 in New York.

Then, I go to my sax friend's house, Fred Vigdor. Fred has played on all my CD's and has currently been performing with The Average White Band.  Then he plays a new version of "It's Not Enuf" which was on my "Reflections of Love" in 1992.  (Grover and I met in 1991 through Danny Weiss, Head of Shanachie-Jazz).  Fred and I wrote that song and we got Grover to play on the tune and again, reflected on the man and his music. What a cool treat for the both of us.

Then I go to McDonalds at about 6:00pm in White Plains.  I'm feeling a little weird. As I'm getting my food, I don't feel like eating in the restaurant, so I sit alone on a mall bench.  Then at about 6:15, I go to Border's books, flip through the Jazziz magazine and see a real cool promo picture of guess who AGAIN?  The G-Man, smiling..a nice close up shot.  He looked so cool.  You can see the history and legacy in this man's face, kind of how I view another contemporary, pianist Joe Sample.  These guys have been places and have seen it all.   It was during that time approximately 6:30pm,  he was pronounced dead at Roosevelt Hospital.

Another legend has crossed over.  We lost young lions and lionesses George Howard, Noel Pointer, Phyllis Hyman and Zachary Breaux.  I didn't feel too good on 12/16/99, but I am thankful that I had contact with him this year before we lost him.  My last contact with Grover in Cincinnati at the Jazz Festival at the now crumbled Riverfront (Cinergy Field) Stadium with Jonathan Butler and Will Downing. I was telling him, "Brother, take it easy 'cause the young cats we need you out here." He told me to call him when I was ready to record again followed by a hug and best wishes.  What a classy guy.

I needed Grover on my next CD, which was "Bobbaldwin.com". He was going to play on "Funkin' for Jamaica" and share the jam with the original cat, Tom Browne. He was so flattered to participate. I had some earlier business to tend to, like raise the necessary dollars to underwrite the project. Well it so happens that I could not raise the money fast enough, like until January 2000. He passed away a month prior.

I've seen Grover on probably a dozen occasions, passing one another on the road. St. Lucia, New York City, Phily, Atlanta and lastly, in Cincinnati, Oh. No one wanted to play "Mr. Magic" live because when Grover did it, it was authentic. That was HIS song, his footprint in the sand of music.  To see him play that joint live was the ultimately instrumental funk trip. What a way to break into the business "big time."  His latest band was ridiculous, having a retro-feel with a Wurlitzer, DX7 and other vintage keys that gave GW, Jr. such a great cradle to launch his litany of horns from. Donald Robinson (Keys), Richie Morales (Drums) and Gerald Veasley (Bass) were laying it down with a fatness.

Needless to say, my next series of gigs for the y2k are dedicated to G.  We will all miss Grover Washington, Jr., but his music will truly live on throughout the 21st Century.

A wonderful concert was held at Bryant Park last year with some Grover Alumni, led by Jason Miles. In attendance were Buddy Williams, Chuck Loeb, Will Lee, Kim Waters, Andre Ward and many others. At the end, Ralph MacDonald and William Salter (co-writers of the great "Mr. Magic") were also in attendance.

May the music of this great legend continue forever!

By Keyboardist/Arranger Bob Baldwin

"Crossroads is a place where meetings with great musicians, famous or otherwise, whose playing, words, demeanor, approach to life, touch our inner cores and send us in directions we never thought possible" Janet Marlow

Grover Washington Jr. 1943-1999   A Tribute

"When this world class artist left us too early, he not only left a trail of vast musical accomplishments but he also left a trail of kindness and love as a person that so many people hold in their hearts as the memory of Grover Washington Jr.  

This is his dual legacy. It is my desire in the following words through facts and words of his colleagues and friends to honor this great artist." JM

Recently we have lost so many great artists in the musical world, Tito Puente, Kenny Kirkland, Eric Gale, Don Grolnick, that it prompted me to think about "legacy" and the fact that the giving of an artist's music can just stop one day. Though when looking deeper into their lives, the breadth of their influence emanates from a circle of people that represent pieces of these artists, through family, community, colleagues, mentor to aspiring players and dozens of performances that were inspiring listening to applauding audiences.

Those who knew him…………………

In Grover's words.......

From: Steve Ferrone/Drummer
Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2000 08:28:23 EST
Subject: Grover
To: info@citysketches.com

Dear Bob,
I just got through reading your page on Grover. He was an inspiration over so many years, not only in his wonderful playing, but in his living. He was, and lives in my memory as an individual that earned the title of being a "nice man."Thanks for putting up the page, I will pass it on.

Stephen Ferrone
(Played drums on "Pick Up The Pieces" (AWB), "Clouds" (Chaka), "Cross the Mignight Sun" (Jarreau), to name a select few.)

Subj:   Re: Memoirs of Grover Washington, Jr.
Date:   00-01-03 11:26:44 EST
From:   Eric Essix/Zebra Recording Artist

We will greatly miss Grover who is one of the true pioneers of contemporary jazz. There are not many that he has not touched and inspired in some way and I am happy to be one of them.
Eric Essix/Guitarist
Zebra Recording Artist

Subj: Grover Washington Jr.
Date: 1/26/100 3:42:48 PM EST
From: Buddy Williams/Drummer, former GW bandmember and friend
To: ARE GEE B

Hey BOB
Sorry for the Delay.  What can I say, He was the Best. Musical & a good friend too. What always comes to mind is the many different musical settings we played in. I remember Recording w/ BOB James on the "H" project.  Grover played (& Wrote ) a Tune called "Brighton Beach". A nice easy going grove. We did it in one Take' (remember those days ?) What an Honer & pleasure to be there much alone be playing on such a now Classic.
There's many more but this comes to mind first. Much love to you & yours.

Lets get together & play.
Peace Buddy

Subj:   Grover and Friends
Date:   00-01-03 09:54:01 EST
From:   Smooth Jazz Norfolk
To: Baldwin77

Bob,
Hello my friend! Sorry it took so long for me to respond on the news of Grover Washington,Jr.'s sudden death. We quickly put together a 5 hour radio special that night in his memory. I never personally had the pleasure of meeting Grover in person, but I remember the first time I heard Mr. Magic while working at a radio station in Georgia. I said "Man that was the jam." Being a trumpet player myself, I could really appreciate his blend of jazz and funk rhythms that paved the way for what, in my opinion, has become
Smooth Jazz today.

Along with the contributions of Grover Washington there was Bob James, Stanley Turrentine, Lonnie Liston Smith, Maynard Ferguson, Gary Bartz, Ronnie Laws and many more jazz musicians in the 70's that molded today's Smooth Jazz art form. I am really gonna miss him and still can't believe he is gone.

Many Blessings, Prosperity, And Much Peace to you in this New Century My Friend

Jay Lang/Smooth Jazz CD105.3 On-Air Personality

Subj:   Re: Memoirs of Grover Washington, Jr.
Date:   00-01-03 08:25:09 EST
From:   Joel Rosenblatt/Spyrogyra

My contact with Grover has been slim, although every time I've run into him at a festival or concert, he has always been very gracious. More importantly, everything I've EVER HEARD about him as a person has been overwhelmingly positive. In this business, that is significant!!!  Anyway, happy New Year, see you soon!

Subj:   Re: Memoirs of Grover Washington, Jr.
Date:   00-01-03 02:04:24 EST
From:   Brett(Jazz Fan)

Before i met Grover, I listened to him. When music moves me emotionally I love it. It 's called communication. Grover did that with style and grace. As a man, I witnessed kindness and elegance from Grover towards his fans and critics (few). Mr. Magic will live on through his music.

Prayers and Blessing that we had Grover,

Brett

Subj:     Grover Tribute
Date:  1/3/00 10:00:01 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:  morrice@jazzreview.com (Morrice)
To:    baldwin77@aol.com

Bob,
We were told about your Grover Tribute by one of our staff members.  Great Tribute to a true "Jazz Great".  We have also put together a tribute at jazzreview.com.  Feel free to link to our tribute at: http://www.jazzreview.com/photo19.html

We have also updated your link on our links list.  Please keep us informed about your 2000 release.  We would love to review it, as we are big fans of yours.

Thanks,
Morrice Blackwell
Publisher / Site Manager

The Jazz Review
10033 W. Ruby Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53225 USA

Subj: FWD:  Re: Grover Washington memoirs....
Date: 1/7/100 2:56:02 PM EST
From: Rob Mullins/Keyboardist-recording artist
To: Baldwin77

How could any musician coming up during the 70's and 80's forget the huge contribution that Grover made towards laying the foundation for what musicians are doing today? His music was recognizable from the first note as uniquely his-he truly was Mr. Magic. While we mourn the passing of one of the cornerstones of our genre, Grover and his music will live on in the hearts and souls of millions.

Rob Mullins-composer, author, performer
http://planetmullins.com/

Subj: Re: Grover Washington memoirs....
Date: 1/7/100 1:59:54 PM EST
From: Chris Standring
To: baldwin77

Grover words

Grover washington Jnr. pioneered a sound that is everywhere today.  I remember listening to him back in England as a kid thinking "boy are those some deep grooves!".  He is the "Guv'nor" as we Brits say. I think Americans might say "He da man!"

Well, however you put it...nobody's arguing!  He will be sadly missed.

Chris Standring
Instinct recording artist

Subj:   Re: Grover Washington..memoirs and thoughts
Date:   00-01-02 14:24:31 EST
From:   Gerald Albright, Saxophonist
To: Baldwin77

My thoughts for Grover....

"The world has loss a true innovator and positive force in music. Grover has provided the base for myself and many other saxophonists to do what we do today. He is still alive through the music the he has left us, and that music will be a part of people's lives for many years to come. Much love and support to his family in these times."

Thanks, Bob, for the opportunity to speak about Grover.

Peace,
Gerald Albright

FWD from Bill Evans/Saxophonist.....

Grover Washington, Jr.

Always a true gentlman.

Bill Evans, saxophone

Zebra Recording Artist

Subj: Fwd: The Grover memoirs....

Date: 1/7/100 3:03:06 PM EST

FWD from Jeff Lorber.....

Being from Philly, Grover and I had a special bond. We ran into each other often and he was always very cordial and supportive. My dad was the team doctor for the 76'ers and Grover was at every game. He was an avid basketball fan.

One of my fondest Grover memories was being invited to watch him do some sax overdubs on his "Reed Seed" record. That was pure magic and inspiration. Grover was one the the funkiest and most melodic improvisors and writers... extremely skillful as a sax player and dynamic. His band was slammin' too.

I worked with him about two years ago in an all star band for the "Presidential Summit for Voulenteerism" in Philly, and he was playing as good as ever. It was great to see that he still had it.

Jeff Lorber

end-comments

Subj:   Re: Memoirs of Grover Washington, Jr.
Date:   00-01-02 09:53:10 EST
From:   Bernie Capodici/Phily Resident/Grover Fan

Bob,

Happy New Year to you and your family. Grover, in a word, "Sugar."  When I first started promoting and playing electric percussion instruments, Grover was one of the very few musicians I knew who really understood what I was doing and didn't have a purist's attitude toward my work.

He was the father of smooth jazz, in my eyes, and was so inspirational to many musicians. His personality was like his music- smooth, genuine and generous.

Bernie Capodici (formerly of Acquila, the wireless midi controller. Bernie has provided wireless keyboard systems for James Lloyd (Pieces of A Dream), Mo Pleasure (EWF) and Yours Truly, to name a couple.

-- 12/16/99/NEW YORK (CNN) --
Grover Washington Jr., the Grammy-winning saxophonist whose work formed a link between jazz, funk and pop, died suddenly Friday night at age 56.

Washington collapsed about 6:30 p.m. Friday while taping a television appearance for CBS' "The Saturday Early Show." He was rushed to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later, the facility's staff reported. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Washington spent most of his career exploring the links among jazz, funk and rhythm and blues. His best-known album, "Winelight," was a top 10 record in the United States and won two Grammy awards: The single "Just the Two of Us," which featured Bill Withers on vocals, reached No. 2 on the U.S. charts in 1981.

The son of a saxophone player himself, the Buffalo, New York, native began his career as a teenager and played in clubs around Philadelphia in the late 1960s. His big break came in 1970, when Johnny "Hammond" Smith featured Washington on the song "Breakout."

Washington released his first solo album, "Inner City Blues," in 1971. Later sets, like 1972's "All the King's Horses" and 1974's "Mister Magic," won critical acclaim and landed him as a headliner in concert halls across the nation.

Washington was an accomplished player with a warm sound influenced by such saxophone legends as Coleman Hawkins, Dexter Gordon and Gerry Mulligan. But many jazz aficionados disliked his style, considering his work too watered down with pop influences.

Washington liked to say one of the reasons he lasted in the business so long was because he would rarely "do the same thing over and over."

"My professional life began at age twelve. I played a lot of R&B, blues, and what we used to call 'gut-bucket,'" he once said. "I'm just staying true to the things that got me to play in the first place."

His most recent album, "Soulful Strut," was released by Columbia in 1996.

Washington played for President Clinton at the president's 50th birthday party in 1996 at Radio City Music Hall, and played with Clinton and other jazz greats -- including trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and pianist Herbie Hancock -- at a White House event in 1993.

http://cnn.com/1999/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/18/washington.obit/index.html