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Herman Wright

1930 – 1997

American jazz musician

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About Herman Wright

Lived 1930 – 1997 (aged 67). Herman Wright was an American jazz musician and musician.

Herman Wright (1932 - 1997) was an American jazz double bassist.

born in Detroit, Michigan, he began on drums as a teen before ultimately settling on upright bass. He worked with Dorothy Ashby, Wes Montgomery, Terry Gibbs, beat poet Allen Ginsberg, Yusef Lateef, George Shearing, Doug Watkins and on one occasion substituted for Charles Mingus when the latter wanted to play piano. He can also be heard on Allen Ginsberg's Ginsberg Sings Blake.

In 1960, he moved to New York City, where he resided until his death in 1997.

He had three sons, Herman Wright Jr. (brass and woodwinds), Paris Wright (drums), and Dewayne Wright (piano).

Discography

As sideman With Dorothy Ashby Hip Harp (Prestige, 1958) In a Minor Groove (New Jazz, 1958) Dorothy Ashby (Argo, 1961) Soft Winds (Jazzland, 1961) With Chet Baker Smokin' with the Chet Baker Quintet (Prestige, 1965) Groovin' with the Chet Baker Quintet (Prestige, 1965) Comin' On with the Chet Baker Quintet (Prestige, 1965) Cool Burnin' with the Chet Baker Quintet (Prestige, 1965) Boppin' with the Chet Baker Quintet (Prestige, 1965) With Allen Ginsberg Songs of Innocence and Experience (MGM, 1970) With Al Grey Snap Your Fingers (Argo, 1962) Having a Ball (Argo, 1963) With Yusef Lateef Cry! - Tender (New Jazz, 1959) The Three Faces of Yusef Lateef (Riverside, 1960) Into Something (New Jazz, 1961) The Golden Flute (Impulse!, 1966) With Wes Montgomery Maximum Swing, The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings (Resonance Records, 2023) With Billy Mitchell This Is Billy Mitchell (Smash, 1962) A Little Juicy (Smash, 1963) With Archie Shepp Lover Man (Timeless, 1989) With Sonny Stitt Pow! (Prestige, 1965 ) With Doug Watkins Soulnik (New Jazz, 1960)

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Important facts

People in Herman Wright's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Herman Wright's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Herman Wright?

American jazz musician (1930–1997)

When was Herman Wright born?

Herman Wright was born on 20 June 1930 in Detroit.

When did Herman Wright die?

Herman Wright died on 25 June 1997 in New York City.

What was Herman Wright's occupation?

Herman Wright was a jazz musician and musician.

What nationality was Herman Wright?

Herman Wright was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Herman Wright

· Wikidata: Q5740373

· DBpedia: Herman Wright

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Herman Wright. https://biography.guide/herman-wright/

MLA: "Herman Wright." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/herman-wright/.

Chicago: "Herman Wright." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/herman-wright/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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