Moncur, Grachan (Jr.)

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Moncur, Grachan (Jr.)

Moncur, Grachan (Jr.), jazz bassist; father of Grachan Moncur III; b. Miami, Fla., Sept. 2, 1915. Grachan is the half-brother of Savoy Sultans’ leader Al Cooper, and is best known for his work in that band. He began playing string bass, tuba, and trombone during his early teens. He worked with George Kelly’s Band in Miami, then moved with his family to Newark, N.J. Following instruction from Milton Bauzea, he specialized on string bass. He began his professional career at the Star Ballroom, Newark, and subsequently worked with the Matinee Idols on Newark radio station. John Hammond heard a broadcast by this band and arranged for Grachan to take part in several all-star recordings. In 1937, he was a founder member of the Savoy Sultans and remained with the group until it disbanded in 1945. From autumn 1947, he led his own small band with pianist Ace Harris, then joined a band led by tenorist Joe Thomas (1948). He moved to Miami in the 1950s. During the late 1960s he worked regularly in the Myrtle Jones Trio in Miami Beach, Fla. He is best remembered for his recorded work with Teddy Wilson, Mildred Bailey, Billie Holiday, and other jazz performers.

—John Chilton/Lewis Porter