Grimes, Tiny (Lloyd)

Grimes, Tiny (Lloyd), jazz guitarist and singer;b. Newport News, Va., July 7, 1916; d. N.Y., March 4, 1989. He started as a drummer, then worked as a pianist and dancer in Washington, D.C. (1935). He continued with this career until 1939 (with a residency at The Rhythm Club, N.Y., 1938); he then began playing guitar (originally a four-string tenor model). By the following year he was working professionally (on amplified guitar) with The Cats and a Fiddle, leaving in 1941. He went to Calif, and worked Art Tatum’s trio until 1944, then led a trio at the Tondelayo Club, N.Y. He worked in Dizzy Gillespie’s group, which replaced the Benny Goodman Quintet (1945) in Billy Rose’s 7 Lively Arts (a Broadway revue). His “Midnight Special” on Atlantic with Red Prysock was a R&B hit in 1948. He led The Rocking Highlanders (who wore kilts and tarns) in N.Y. and Cleveland during the late 1940s; toured with his own group in the 1950s, then had residencies in Philadelphia. He led at the Village Gate, N.Y. (1962), Purple Manor (1963), and elsewhere. After an illness, he resumed playing at the Copra Lounge (1966). He toured France (1968,1970) and worked with Earl Hines (1972). He led a group during the 1970s and starred at many jazz festivals. He was very active as a sideman throughout his career.

Discography

Blues Groove (1958); Callin’ the Blues (1958); Big Time Guitar (1962); Profoundly Blue (1973); Some Groovy Fours (with L. Glenn; 1974). Charlie Parker, “Romance without Finance,” “Red Cross” (1944).

—John Chilton, Who’s Who of Jazz/Lewis Porter