Gary Crosby is one of the most important bandleaders in the UK and is a widely respected jazz educator. Born in London to Jamaican parents, he started out on trumpet at 13, but lessons with Peter Ind convinced him to switch to the double bass. He was a founding member of the Jazz Warriors in 1985, a group which despite only releasing one album, would launch the careers of many important musicians inlcluding Courtney Pine, Orphy Robinson, Cleveland Watkiss, Julian Joseph and Steve Williamson. On leaving the Jazz Warriors, Crosby established a new project to develop the careers of the next generation of musicians - the Tomorrow's Warriors. For 20 years, this project has provided performance and training for dozens of significant players on the current scene - Byron Wallen, Andrew McCormack, Shabaka Hutchings, Jason Yarde, Robert Mitchell are just a small selection. His contribution to music was recognised in 2009 with an OBE, while he was also awarded the BBC Jazz Award for Services to Jazz. Crosby also leads Jazz Jamaica and the Nu Troop and is a key artistic force at important UK jazz label, Dune Music.
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Recommended Recordings
With Courtney Pine, Jazz Warriors
Jazz Jamaica – Skaravan (Skazz 1994)
Nu Troop – Migrations (Dune 1997)
