Although already in his mid-thirties at the time,
Craig Bailey emerged in the mid-'90s to become one of the most consistently inventive and potentially significant reed players of his generation. He had played in his native Cincinnati and studied at the University of Miami, graduating in 1984. After moving to New York,
Bailey worked with big bands led by
Charlie Persip (1985-1986),
Slide Hampton, and
Ray Charles (1987-1991). He also worked with
Panama Francis' swing combos and recorded with the Nancy Banks Orchestra and
Bobby Watson's short-lived big band.
Bailey joined the Tana Reid Quintet in 1991 and had his recording debut as a leader with 1995's impressive Candid CD A New Journey. Brooklyn followed six years later. ~ Scott Yanow