Gary Crosby (bassist)
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Gary Crosby OBE (born 26 January 1955, London, England) is a British jazz double bassist, music arranger, educator and Executive Artistic Director of Tomorrow's Warriors
A founder member of the original Jazz Warriors, Gary Crosby is a professional musician and bandleader, composer/arranger, record producer, company director and facilitator. He leads Gary Crosby’s Nu Troop, Gary Crosby Trio, Guava, Jazz Jamaica and Jazz Jamaica All Stars – and has worked with many top artists.
In 1991, he established Tomorrow’s Warriors, providing a platform for talented young musicians who wished to pursue a career in jazz. Over the next 13 years, the Tomorrow’s Warriors Jazz Café Jam Session became an institution and developed four generations of Warriors including Denys Baptiste, J-Life and Soweto Kinch. In 2004, the Tomorrow’s Warriors Jam Session moved to The Spice Of Life in Soho, where it remained active until Summer 2010. Tomorrow’s Warriors continues to develop the careers of young musicians and is now commencing the development of its sixth generation of Warriors with core programs and workshops at Southbank Centre, London.
In 1996, Gary and his partner, Janine Irons MBE, established The Dune Music Company Ltd, a commercial company comprising four divisions: artist management, record label, music publishing, and education.
In 1998, Gary Crosby’s Nu Troop won the award for Best International Ensemble at the Jazz à Vienne Concours International d’Orchestres in France.
In 2002 Gary won the award for Best Band for his 20-piece big band, Jazz Jamaica All Stars. In the same year, he was honoured by the Festival Directorate of the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, Jamaica for Consistent Contribution To Music In Jamaica, thereby securing a place in the Jamaica Jazz Hall Of Fame.
In 2006, Jazz Jamaica was awarded with the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Ensemble.
In 2007, Gary received the BBC Radio Jazz Award for Services To Jazz.
In 2009, Gary was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
