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Wallace Roney

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description Wallace Roney Overview

Wallace Roney was an American jazz trumpeter associated with post-bop and modern interpretations of the Miles Davis tradition. Davis served as a mentor, and Roney performed with him at the 1991 Montreux Jazz Festival. Roney later joined former Davis musicians on A Tribute to Miles, which received a Grammy Award, while also leading his own groups and developing a substantial catalog for listeners of contemporary acoustic jazz.

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How was Wallace Roney connected to Miles Davis?

Wallace Roney studied under Miles Davis at an early age and is one of the only trumpet players Davis personally mentored. Davis gave Roney one of his own trumpets and publicly endorsed him as a successor to his musical legacy.

What Grammy Award did Wallace Roney win?

Roney won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance for the 1994 album 'A Tribute to Miles,' recorded with former Davis bandmates Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter, and Tony Williams. The album was a posthumous homage to Miles Davis, who had died in 1991.

When did Wallace Roney die?

Wallace Roney died on March 31, 2020, at the age of 59, from complications of COVID-19. His death was mourned as a major loss to the jazz community, particularly for those who valued his direct link to the Miles Davis tradition.

What was Wallace Roney's musical style?

Roney was known for carrying forward the harmonic and lyrical innovations of Miles Davis while incorporating influences from classical music and electric jazz. He led his own groups throughout the 1990s and 2000s and recorded for labels including Warner Bros. and Muse.