George Mraz Explained
George Mraz (born Jiří Mráz; 9 September 1944 – 16 September 2021)[1] was a Czech-born American jazz bassist and alto saxophonist.[2] He was a member of Oscar Peterson's group, and worked with Pepper Adams, Stan Getz, Michel Petrucciani, Stephane Grappelli, Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Raney, Chet Baker, Joe Henderson, John Abercrombie, John Scofield, and Richie Beirach, among others.
During the 1970s, he was a member of the New York Jazz Quartet and The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and in the 1980s a member of Quest.[3] He also appeared with Joe Lovano, Hank Jones and Paul Motian on Lovano's records I'm All For You and Joyous Encounter.
Mraz died on September 16, 2021, in Prague. The immediate cause of death was undisclosed, though he had battled pancreatic cancer in 2016.[4]
Discography
As leader/co-leader
- 1977: Alone Together with Masaru Imada (Three Blind Mice)
- 1982: Classic Jazz Duets with Adam Makowicz
- 1992: Catching Up
- 1995: Jazz with Richie Beirach, Billy Hart, Larry Willis, Rich Perry
- 1995: My Foolish Heart with Richie Beirach, Billy Hart
- 1997: Bottom Lines with Cyrus Chestnut, Al Foster, Rich Perry
- 1999: Duke's Place with Renee Rosnes, Billy Drummond, Cyrus Chestnut
- 2002: Morava with Billy Hart, Emil Viklicky, Zuzana Lapčíková
- 2007: Moravian Gems with Iva Bittova, Emil Viklicky, Laco Tropp
- 2012: George Mraz quartet-Jazz na Hrade with David Hazeltine, Rich Perry, Joey Baron
- 2014: Together Again with Emil Viklický
With the New York Jazz Quartet
- The New York Jazz Quartet In Concert In Japan (Salvation (Japan), 1975)
- Surge (Enja, 1977)
- Song of the Black Knight (Sonet 1977)
- Blues for Sarka (Enja, 1978)
- New York Jazz Quartet in Chicago (Bee Hive, 1981)
- Oasis (Enja, 1981)
- Manhattan David Hazeltine - George Mraz Trio (Chesky Records) 2006
- Your StoryGeorge Mraz / David Hazeltine Trio (Cube - Metier) 2012
As sideman
With Pepper Adams
With John Abercrombie
With Toshiko Akiyoshi
With Eric Alexander
With Chet Baker
With Kenny Barron
With Richie Beirach
With Dee Dee Bridgewater
With Bob Brookmeyer
With Kenny Burrell
With George Cables
With Benny Carter
With Arnett Cobb
With Larry Coryell
With Kenny Drew
With Yelena Eckemoff featuring Mark Turner, Joe Locke & Billy Hart
- A Touch of Radiance (L&H, 2014)
With Jon Faddis
With Art Farmer
With Tommy Flanagan
With Stan Getz
With Dizzy Gillespie
With Urbie Green
With Jim Hall
- Jim Hall & Basses (Telarc, 2001)
With Sir Roland Hanna
- 1 X 1 (Toho (Japan), 1974)
- Porgy & Bess (Trio (Japan), 1976)
- 24 Preludes Book 1 (Salvation (Japan), 1976)
- Time for the Dancers (Progressive, 1977)
- Sir Elf Plus 1 (Choice, 1977)
- Glove (Trio (Japan), 1977)
- 24 Preludes Book 2 (Salvation (Japan), 1977)
- This Must Be Love (Progressive 1978)
- Rolandscape (Progressive, 1978)
- Roland Hanna and George Mraz Play for Monk (Musical Heritage Society, 1978)
- Sunrise, Sunset (LOB, 1979)
- Romanesque (Trio (Japan), 1982)
- This Must Be Love (Audiophile, 1983)
- (Venus, 2002)
With Jaroslav Jakubovič
With Scott Hamilton
With Elvin Jones
With Fred Lipsius
- Dreaming of Your Love,[5] (mja Records, 1995)
With Keystone Trio
With Jimmy Knepper
With Steve Kuhn
With Andy LaVerne and Al Foster
With John Lewis
With Joe Lovano
With Warne Marsh
With Greg Marvin
- The Greg Marvin Quartet (Hi Hat, Planet X, 1986)
- I'll Get By (Planet X, 1987)
- Workout! (Planet X, 1988)
- Wake-up Call! (Planet X, 1996)
- Special Edition (Planet X, 2001)
With Carmen McRae
- Carmen Sings Monk (Bluebird, 1988)
With Charles Mingus
- With Tete Montoliu
With Mark Murphy
With Mike Nock
- In Out and Around (featuring Mike Brecker and Al Foster) (1979)
With Oscar Peterson
With Art Pepper
With Michel Petrucciani & Stephane Grappelli
With Quest
- Quest (Trio/Palo Alto, 1981)
With Jimmy Raney
With John Scofield
With Zoot Sims
With The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra
With McCoy Tyner
With Mal Waldron
With Larry Willis
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Facebook. Facebook.com. 30 September 2021.
- Web site: 2021-09-16. Murió George Mraz, un contrabajista exquisito que tocó con los grandes artistas de la escena del jazz. 2021-09-17. Clarin. es.
- Web site: Quest Biography, Songs, & Albums. AllMusic. 30 September 2021.
- News: Genzlinger . Neil . 2021-09-25 . George Mraz, Consummate Jazz Bassist, Dies at 77 . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-09-14 . 0362-4331.
- Web site: Dreaming of Your Love - Fred Lipsius | Credits . AllMusic. 30 September 2021.
- Web site: Heart Beats - Keystone Trio | Songs, Reviews, Credits . AllMusic. 30 September 2021.
- Web site: Newklear Music - Keystone Trio | Songs, Reviews, Credits . AllMusic. 30 September 2021.