Chris White (July 6, 1936 − November 2, 2014) was an American jazz bassist.

Early life and education

Christopher Wesley White was born in Harlem, New York, and grew up in Brooklyn. He graduated in 1956 from City College of New York, and in 1968 from the Manhattan School of Music. In 1974, he earned his Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 1994, he did postgraduate Advanced Computer Study at Berklee College of Music.

Career

White was an occasional member of Cecil Taylor's band in the 1950s, credited on the 1959 Love for Sale album. From 1960 to 1961 he accompanied Nina Simone; subsequently he was a member of Dizzy Gillespie's ensemble until 1966. He later founded the band The Jazz Survivors and was a member of the band Prism. In addition to this, he collaborated with Billy Taylor, Eubie Blake, Earl Hines, Chick Corea, Teddy Wilson, Kenny Barron, Mary Lou Williams, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae and Billy Cobham. White served as executive director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University from 1972-1976, and served as chair of the Division of Creative Arts and Technology at Bloomfield College in New Jersey.

Awards

Discography

As leader

Interface recorded 2010 Lou Caputo/Chris White co leaders with Warren Smith Vibs Payton Crosley Drums Don Stein piano Leopoldo Fleming percussion

As sideman

With Kenny Barron With Nina Simone With Dizzy Gillespie With Ramsey Lewis With James Moody With Jimmy Owens With Dave Pike With Andrew Hill With Lalo Schifrin With Quincy Jones