Waymon Reed


Waymon Reed was an American jazz trumpeter. While he was principally a bebop soloist, he also worked in rhythm and blues. He was married from 1978 to 1981 to singer Sarah Vaughan.

Career

Reed attended the Eastman School of Music and then played R&B with Ira Sullivan. He joined James Brown's band from 1965 to 1969, where he played on "It's a Man's Man's Man's World". Following his tenure with Brown he joined Count Basie's band from 1969 to 1973. In 1968, Reed's daughter, Keelon, was born in Houston, Texas. Following her birth, Reed worked with the big bands of Frank Foster and Thad Jones-Mel Lewis. He returned to play with Basie again in 1977–78. He married Sarah Vaughan and worked with her from 1978–80, but shortly afterwards they divorced. He played on B.B. King's album There Must Be a Better World Somewhere in 1981. Reed died of cancer in 1983.
In 1977 recorded his one album as leader, ¨46th and 8th¨, featured tenor-saxophonist Jimmy Forrest, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Keter Betts and drummer Bobby Durham. This five tracks album recording sesion took place in New York City, 46th Street at the Sound Ideas Studios. It was produced by John Snyder and released in 1979.

Discography

As a Leader

With Count Basie Orchestra
With B.B. King
With George Benson
With James Brown
With Hank Crawford
With Al Grey
With Eddie Jefferson
  • Still on the Planet
With Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra'