Tiny Grimes: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Eddie Lang
• Charlie Christian
• Freddie Green
• Joe Pass
• Slim Gaillard
• Les Spann
• Al Casey

• Johnny Smith
• Snags Allen

• Junior Watson
• Roy Gaines
• Matt Collar
• Magic Dick
• Dave Gross
• Kenny Burrell
• Les Paul

• The Cats & the Fiddle

• Big Sid Catlett
• Slam Stewart
• Hot Lips Page
• Cozy Cole
• J.C. Heard
• Charlie Shavers
• Charlie Parker

Birth Name:

Lloyd Grimes

Born:

Jul 7, 1916 in Newport News, VA

Died:

Mar 4, 1989 in New York, NY

Genres:

Music, Jazz Music, Bop Jazz Music, Classical Music

Decades Active:

1940's|1950's|1960's|1970's

Artistic Quality

Medium

Cultural Impact

Medium

Popularity

Medium

Ratings Guide

Tiny Grimes was one of the earliest jazz electric guitarists to be influenced by Charlie Christian, and he developed his own swinging style. Early on, he was a drummer and worked as a pianist in Washington. In 1938, he started playing electric guitar, and two years later he was playing in a popular jive group, the Cats and a Fiddle. During 1943-1944, Grimes was part of a classic Art Tatum Trio which also included Slam Stewart. In September 1944, he led his first record date, using Charlie Parker; highlights include the instrumental "Red Cross" and Grimes' vocal on "Romance Without Finance (Is a Nuisance)." He also recorded for Blue Note in 1946, and then put together an RB-oriented group, "the Rockin' Highlanders," that featured the tenor of Red Prysock during 1948-1952. Although maintaining a fairly low profile, Tiny Grimes was active up until his death, playing in an unchanged swing/bop transitional style and recording as a leader for such labels as Prestige/Swingville, Black Blue, Muse, and Sonet.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide