Albert Preston Dailey (June 16, 1939 – June 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist.

Early life

Dailey was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His parents were Albert Preston Dailey Sr, and Gertrude Johnson Dailey. He began studying piano as a child, and his first professional appearances were with the house band of the Baltimore Royal Theater in the early 1950s. Later in the decade, he studied at Morgan State University and the Peabody Conservatory.

Later life and career

He backed Damita Jo DuBlanc on tour from 1960 to 1963, and following this briefly put together his own trio in Washington, D.C., playing at the Bohemian Caverns. In 1964, he moved to New York City, where he played with Dexter Gordon, Roy Haynes, Sarah Vaughan, Charles Mingus, and Freddie Hubbard. In 1967, he played with Woody Herman at the Monterey Jazz Festival, and played intermittently with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers from 1968 to 1969. In the 1970s, Dailey played with Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Elvin Jones, and Archie Shepp. In the 1980s, he undertook concerts at Carnegie Hall and was a member of the Upper Manhattan Jazz Society with Charlie Rouse, Benny Bailey, and Buster Williams. Dailey died in Denver on June 26, 1984, aged 45. Dailey is survived by his 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

As sideman

With Ray Alexander With Gary Bartz With Art Blakey With Junior Cook With Larry Coryell With Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis With Walt Dickerson With Art Farmer With Ricky Ford With Frank Foster With Stan Getz With Bunky Green With Slide Hampton With Tom Harrell With Freddie Hubbard With Elvin Jones With Lee Konitz With Oliver Nelson With Dizzy Reece With Charlie Rouse With Archie Shepp With Malachi Thompson With Harold Vick