Eugene Wright, the jazz bassist known for his time with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, has died, Brubeck Family Legacy Records announced. A cause of death was not revealed. Eugene Wright was 97 years old.
Eugene Wright was born in Chicago in 1923. Growing up, he played the cornet before he learned to play the upright bass. Wright, who was known as “The Senator,” led the group the Dukes of Swing in the 1940s.
Wright first performed with the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1958, comprising one-fourth of the classic lineup, along with pianist Brubeck, alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, and drummer Joe Morello. One of the lineup’s first albums was 1959’s iconic Time Out, which includes the standard “Take Five.” The four musicians recorded over 25 albums together before they disbanded in 1968.
Beyond his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Eugene Wright recorded and performed with Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Vince Guaraldi, and many others.