Quick Facts
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Ronnell Lovelace Bright (born July 3, 1930) is an American jazz pianist. He has also dabbled in acting, with cameo appearances in the TV shows The Jeffersons, The Carol Burnett Show, and Sanford and Son. Ronnell Bright has four children. Lois Rene' Bright Wilkins (Florida), Faye Bright Juliot (California), Ronnell R. Bright (Texas), and Ronnece Laura Bright (Nevada). Source: Ronnell Bright's family.
Career
Bright played piano from a young age and won a piano competition when he was nine years old. In 1944, he played with the Chicago Youth Piano Symphony Orchestra. He studied at Juilliard, graduating early in the 1950s. Moving back to Chicago, he played with Johnny Tate and accompanied Carmen McRae before moving to New York City in 1955. There he played with Rolf Kuhn and assembled his own trio in 1957. In 1957–58 he was with Dizzy Gillespie and acted as an accompanist for Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne, and Gloria Lynne over the next few years. His compositions were recorded by Vaughan, Cal Tjader, Horace Silver, and Blue Mitchell. In 1964, he became Nancy Wilson's arranger and pianist after moving to Los Angeles. Later in the decade he found work as a studio musician, playing in Supersax from 1972 to 1974.
Discography
As leader
- The Ronnell Bright Trio (Polydor, 1958; reissued on Fresh Sound; reissued on Sam Records, 2012
- Bright's Spot (Regent, 1957; reissue on Savoy, digital on Denon)
- Bright Flight (Vanguard)
- After Hours Jazz
As sideman
- Doris Day: The Love Album (recorded 1967, Concord, 1994)
- Coleman Hawkins: The Hawk Relaxes (Moodsville, 1961)
- Charles Kynard: Where It's At! (Pacific Jazz, 1963)
- Anita O'Day: I Got a Kick Out of You (Evidence, 1975)
- Shirley Scott: Workin' (Prestige, 1958–61)
- Buddy Tate: Groovin' with Buddy Tate (Swingville, 1961)
- Sarah Vaughan: Vaughan and Violins (Mercury, 1958)
- Sarah Vaughan with the Count Basie Orchestra: No Count Sarah (Mercury, 1959)
- Sarah Vaughan: After Hours at the London House (Mercury, 1959)
- Sarah Vaughan with the Jimmy Jones Orchestra: Dreamy (Roulette, 1960; reissued on Fresh Sound)
- Frank Wess: Trombones and Flute (Savoy, 1956)
