Another Basie orchestra mainstay, Al Grey has been a sterling trombonist, whose humorous inflections and skill with the plunger has been balanced by excellent facility and overall technique. He's a reliable, steady type, not the kind to bowl anyone over with multiphonics or circular breathing, but whose solos always invoke good feelings from musicians and audiences alike. Grey played in a service band during World War II. He toured with Benny Carter and Jimmie Lunceford in the mid-'40s, staying in New York with the Lunceford band after its leader died. He played for a brief time with Lucky Millinder and toured five years with Lionel Hampton. After working in 1956 with Dizzy Gillespie, Grey joined Count Basie's orchestra. He left in 1961 along with Billy Mitchell to form a sextet, which soon disbanded. Grey was unsuccessful heading his group, and returned to the Basie fold in 1964, becoming one of its most popular members in the 60s. He began touring with Jazz At The Philharmonic in 1974, then left the Basie band again in 1977. He worked regularly with Jimmy Forrest through the late '70s. Grey has had periodic reunions and sessions with the Basie band, and done combo dates in Europe. He's performed frequently with Buddy Tate and co-led a band with Al Cohn in 1985.