Leroy Vinnegar


Leroy Vinnegar was an American jazz bassist. Born in Indianapolis, the self-taught Vinnegar established his reputation in Los Angeles during the 1950s and 1960s. His trademark was the rhythmic walking bass line, a steady series of ascending or descending notes, and it brought him the nickname "The Walker". Besides his jazz work, he also appeared on a number of soundtracks and pop albums, notably Van Morrison's 1972 album, Saint Dominic's Preview.

Music career

Vinnegar recorded extensively as a sideman, but also recorded as a leader. He came to public attention in the 1950s as a result of recording with Lee Konitz, André Previn, Stan Getz, Shorty Rogers, Chet Baker, Shelly Manne, Joe Castro, and Serge Chaloff. He played bass on Previn and Manne's My Fair Lady album and on Eddie Harris and Les McCann's Swiss Movement live album, two of the most commercially successful jazz records ever produced. Vinnegar also performed at the Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach, California, and Diggers in East Los Angeles in the late 1950s, with drummer and pianist Don Joham along with other musicians.
Vinnegar along with guitarist Willie Chambers backed Luke "Long Gone" Miles on his Country Born album that was released on World Pacific Records in 1964.
He moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1986. In 1995, the Oregon state legislature honored him by proclaiming May 1 Leroy Vinnegar Day. Vinnegar died of a heart attack, at the age of 71, on August 3, 1999, in a hospital in Portland.

Discography

As leader

Leroy Walks! Leroy Walks Again!! Jazz's Great "Walker" Glass of Water The Kid
  • ''Walkin' the Basses''

As sideman

With Pepper Adams
With Stan Getz and Lionel HamptonHamp and Getz
With Chet BakerQuartet: Russ Freeman/Chet Baker
With Tom Ball and Kenny SultanWho Drank My Beer? Bloodshot Eyes
With Conte CandoliWest Coast Wailers with Lou LevyLittle Band Big Jazz
With Benny CarterJazz Giant Swingin' the '20s
With Joe CastroLive at Falcon's Lair! Groove Funk Soul At Falcon's Lair with Joe Castro
With Serge ChaloffBlue Serge
With Dolo CokerDolo! California Hard Third Down
With Buddy ColletteNice Day with Buddy Collette
With Sonny CrissSaturday Morning
With The DoorsWaiting for the Sun
With Barbara Dane & Earl HinesLivin' with the Blues
With Kenny DorhamInta Somethin'
With Kenny DrewTalkin' & Walkin' Home Is Where the Soul Is For Sure!
With Harry Edison
With Teddy Edwards
With Victor Feldman
With Red GarlandKeystones!
With Stan GetzWest Coast Jazz Hamp and Getz Stan Getz and the Cool Sounds The Steamer
With Dexter Gordon
With Eddie Harris and Les McCannSwiss Movement
With Hampton HawesThe Sermon Something Special
With Elmo HopeThe Elmo Hope Quintet featuring Harold Land
With The Jazz CrusadersLive at the Lighthouse '66 Talk That Talk
With Fred KatzFred Katz and his Jammers
With Barney KesselLet's Cook!
With Eric KlossFirst Class Kloss!
With Harold LandHarold in the Land of Jazz
With Gordon LeeOn the Shoulders of Giants
With Shelly ManneConcerto for Clarinet & Combo Swinging Sounds More Swinging Sounds Shelly Manne & His Friends My Fair Lady
With Les McCannLes McCann Ltd. Plays the Truth Les McCann Ltd. Plays the Shout From the Top of the Barrel On Time Les McCann Plays the Hits Bucket o' Grease Much Les Fish This Week
With Howard McGheeMaggie's Back in Town!!
With Frank Morgan
With Van MorrisonSaint Dominic's Preview
With Gerry Mulligan and Ben WebsterGerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
With Phineas Newborn, Jr.The Great Jazz Piano of Phineas Newborn Jr. The Newborn Touch
With Art PepperThe Return of Art Pepper
With Carl Perkins
With Randy PorterModern Reflections
With Sonny RollinsSonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders
With Shorty RogersMartians Come Back! Way Up There
With Jimmy SmithBluesmith
With Sonny StittSonny Stitt Blows the Blues Saxophone Supremacy Sonny Stitt Swings the Most
With Cedar WaltonCedar!
With Tut Taylor12 String Dobro
With Jessica WilliamsEncounters Encounters II
With Don WilkersonThe Texas Twister
With Gerald WilsonPortraits
With Jack Wilson