In Memoriam: George Mraz

 

We remember jazz bass legend George Mraz who has just passed away, a week following his 77th birthday.  Here he is, as part of trio with Tommy Flanagan on piano and Lewis Nash on drums.  They are playing Dizzy Gillespie's composition "Tin Tin Deo".  Video credit, attributed to Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.  

George Mraz (born Jiří Mráz on 9 September 1944 in Písek, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, now Czech Republic, died on 16 September 2021 in Prague) was a jazz bassist and alto saxophonist. He was a member of Oscar Peterson's group, and worked with Pepper Adams, Stan Getz, Michel Petrucciani, Stephane Grappelli, Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Raney, Chet Baker, Joe Henderson, John Abercrombie, John Scofield, Richie Beirach and many other important jazz musicians.

During the 1970s he was a member of the New York Jazz Quartet and The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and in the 1980s a member of Quest.[2] He also appeared with Joe Lovano, Hank Jones and Paul Motian on Lovano's records I'm All For You and Joyous Encounter. Mraz was also known for performing solos with a bow in arco style, similar to that of Paul Chambers..