A
native Californian,
Gerald Albright grew up in South Central Los Angeles. After high
school, he attended the University of Redlands where he received a B.S.
degree in Business Management, minoring in Music.
Immediately after college, Albright began to master his talent by
working extensively in the studio with such artists as Patrice Rushen,
Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, The Winans,
Olivia Newton-John, The Temptations, and Maurice White. He also toured
with Les McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, Marlene
Shaw, Debra and Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil
Collins, and many others. In addition to numerous appearances at clubs
and jazz festivals, Albright had also been a part of the popular Jazz
Explosion tours, which saw him teaming up with contemporary jazz stars
like Will Downing, Jonathan Butler, Hugh Masekela, Chaka Khan, and
Rachelle Ferrell, to name a few.
Gerald Albright has also branched out as a TV Star to his already
substantial resume. The saxman has appeared on numerous shows, such as
“A Different World,” “Melrose Place,” Channels 2 and 5 “Morning News
Shows,” “BET” jazz segments as well as piloting a show in Las Vegas
with “Designing Women” star Meshach Taylor.
Albright's contemporary and straight-ahead collections have established
the Los Angeles-based musician as one of the most prominent artists.
Indeed, Albright was one of the ten featured saxophonists who performed
at President Clinton’s inauguration. He was also featured at the
Presidential Summit, as well as several private functions for the
President.
Albright had sold over 1,000,000 albums in the U.S. alone. His
self-produced music features him on bass guitar, keyboards, flutes,
drum programming, and background vocals. Gerald has definitely earned
the reputation as the “musician’s musician.”
Besides music, Albright is also a family man. He is married to his
junior high school sweetheart, Glynis, and has two children, Selina and
Brandon. He believes in giving back to the community. He has
participated in numerous fund-raisers for the NAACP, The American
Cancer Society, and The Institute for Black Parenting. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, he constantly donates his talents to raise funds
to promote academic excellence nationwide.
Whether he is playing contemporary or straight-ahead jazz, Albright
stands in a class all by himself. He is known for his swiftness on
stage, his unique round sound which is percussive yet soulful. He has
the ability to surprise the audience with something out of the
ordinary. Albright gives his audience what they come for - a great
show!
Born in Los Angeles, Albright began piano lessons at an early age, even
though he professed no great interest in the instrument. His love of
music picked up considerably when he was given a saxophone that
belonged to his piano teacher. It was further reinforced when he
attended Locke High School, a breeding ground for many young West Coast
musicians, where his peers at the time included Patrice Rushen and
Ndugu.
Already a polished saxophonist by the time he enrolled at the
University of Redlands, Albright suddenly switched to bass guitar after
he saw Louis Johnson in concert A few months after graduating from
college, Gerald joined Patrice Rushen, who was in the process of
forming her own band, in which he played the saxophone. Later, when the
bass player left in the middle of a tour, Albright replaced him and
finished the tour on bass guitar. From then on, he often performed on
both instruments.
Soon, Albright began to make a name for himself as a sideman of great
insight and musicianship, playing on albums by a wide variety of
artists -- including Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Lola Folana, Atlantic
Starr, Olivia Newton-John, the Temptations and Maurice White. He also
toured extensively with Les McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena
Marie, the Winans, Marlena Shaw, Debra and Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones,
Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and many others.
With
9 CDs under his belt and one collaboration CD, Albright has definitely
gained his place in the music world as a player, songwriter and
producer.
