An excellent bassist,
Avery Sharpe is best known for his longtime association with
McCoy Tyner's trio. He originally played piano (starting when he was eight) and accordion, switching to electric (and eventually acoustic) bass a few years later. At the University of Massachusetts,
Sharpe had the opportunity to study with
Reggie Workman, and he gigged with
Wynton Marsalis and
Pat Metheny.
Sharpe first teamed up with
McCoy Tyner in his early-'80s sextet, and has been a member of the pianist's trio since 1984. In addition,
Sharpe has led one session for Sunnyside (1988) and a pair of CDs for his JKNM label. ~ Scott Yanow