Victor Bailey (March 27, 1960 – November 11, 2016) was an American bass guitar player.[1] He was the bassist for Weather Report during their final years from 1982 to 1986, and launched a solo career in 1988. As a musician, Bailey was known for his signature scat-bass solos.[2]
Victor Bailey | |
|---|---|
 Bailey in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | March 27, 1960 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | November 11, 2016 (aged 56) Stafford, Virginia, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, jazz fusion, pop |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Bass |
| Years active | 1980–2016 |
| Labels | Atlantic, Zebra, ESC, Chesky |
| Formerly of | Weather Report |
Biography
editBorn in Philadelphia, on 27 March 1960, Victor Randall Bailey was raised by a highly musical family. His father, Morris Bailey Jr., was an active musician and composer, while his uncle, Donald "Duck" Bailey, was a jazz drummer, who played on numerous Blue Note records (e.g., Jimmy Smith Trio, Hampton Hawes, Carmen McRae, Dizzy Gillespie).[3] As a child, Bailey played the drums, but ultimately switched to bass guitar after the bassist in his neighborhood band walked out of a band practice. Because young Victor took an immediate liking to the instrument, his father encouraged him to become a bass player.[4] Beginning in 1978, at the age of 18, Bailey attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston after being disqualified from naval service due to asthma.[5]
Like his father, Bailey suffered from Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease for most of his adult life. As the disease progressed, Bailey began using a cane to offset his weakened legs. The weakness finally spread to his upper body, necessitating his 2015 retirement from performing and from his teaching position at Berklee College of Music.[6] He died on 11 November 2016 in Stafford, VA,[7] likely from complications from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease).[8]
Bailey played a 1986 Pensa-Suhr J-4 koa bass and a fretless Ibanez Roadstar among others. His instruments were auctioned by Skinner. The J-4 sold for $10,455 US[9] Bailey had a series of remarkable contributions[ambiguous] as the main bassist for American jazz fusion band Weather Report, for which he played on four of their studio albums between 1983 and 1986.
Fender released a Victor Bailey Signature acoustic bass guitar,[10] as well as the Victor Bailey Jazz Bass (Artist series), available in 4, 5-string, fretted and fretless versions.[11] Bailey also used Markbass amplifiers.[12]
Discography
editAs leader/co-leader
edit- Bottom's Up (Atlantic, 1989)
- Petite Blonde with Dennis Chambers, Mitch Forman, Chuck Loeb, and Bill Evans (Lipstick , 1992)
- Low Blow (Zebra, 1999)
- That's Right! (ESC, 2001)
- Electric with Larry Coryell and Lenny White (Chesky, 2005)
- Traffic with Larry Coryell and Lenny White (Chesky, 2006)
- Slippin' 'n' Trippin' (Studio V Productions, 2009)
As a member
edit- Procession (Columbia, 1983)
- Domino Theory (Columbia, 1984)
- Sportin' Life (Columbia, 1985)
- This Is This! (Columbia, 1986)
- Magnetic (Elektra, 1986)
- Vibe (NYC, 1995)
As sideman
edit- Michael Brecker, Now You See It... (Now You Don't) (GRP, 1990)
- Omar Hakim, Rhythm Deep (GRP, 1989)
- Urban Knights, Urban Knights I (GRP, 1995)
References
edit- ^ "CBW: Larry Coryell/Victor Bailey/Lenny White "Traffic" Chesky". The Washington Post. February 9, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
- ^ Harris M. Lentz III (2016). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2016. McFarland. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-476-67031-7.
- ^ "Passing of Donald Bailey". Facebook. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ^ "Biography". Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ^ "Interview with bass player Victor Bailey". For Bass Players Only. 2010-02-15. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
- ^ "Victor Bailey". Facebook. October 30, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ^ "Victor Bailey, RIP". VictorBailey.com. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ^ "Health Update, Sept. 27th 2016". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ^ 1986 Pensa-Suhr J-4 koa
- ^ "Gear and equipment". Victor Bailey. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ Fender (2008-03-05), Fender® Victor Bailey Signature Basses, archived from the original on 2021-12-19, retrieved 2016-04-26
- ^ "MARKBASS - Victor Bailey". MARKBASS Bass Amplification.