Lex Humphries


Lex Humphries was an American jazz drummer. He worked with two musicians known for mixing world music with jazz: Sun Ra and Yusef Lateef. As a member of Sun Ra's "Arkestra" he appeared in the film Space Is the Place.
Humphries played on the Giant Steps sessions with John Coltrane. The alternate versions of "Giant Steps", "Naima", and "Like Sonny" that he and Cedar Walton recorded with Coltrane were first released in 1974. He was also the first drummer in the Jazztet, appearing on their first album, Meet the Jazztet, in 1960.
He died in Philadelphia in 1994, aged 57. The cause of death was undisclosed, but according to fellow drummer Mickey Roker, he was distraught in his later years due to marital problems and being separated from his son.

Discography

As sideman

With Donald Byrd
With John Coltrane
  • Alternate Takes
  • The Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings
With Art Farmer and Benny Golson
  • Meet the Jazztet
With Dizzy Gillespie
  • The Ebullient Mr. Gillespie
  • Have Trumpet, Will Excite!
With John Handy
With Freddie Hubbard
  • Minor Mishap
With Yusef Lateef
With Junior Mance
With Wes Montgomery
  • SO Much Guitar!
With Duke Pearson
  • Profile
  • Tender Feelin's
  • Angel Eyes
  • Dedication!
With Sonny Red
  • Images
With Sonny Stitt
  • Rearin' Back
With Sun Ra
With Leon Thomas
With McCoy Tyner
With Doug Watkins
  • ''Soulnik''