Remembering Eddie Gale

Trumpeter Eddie Gale passed away on July 10, 2020 at the age of 78.

He was born Howard Gale Stevens Jr. on August 15, 1941 in Brooklyn.

Gale, who studied trumpet with Kenny Dorham, recorded and performed with many famous artists in the 1960s.

Early in his career he performed with John Coltrane, Illinois Jacquet, Jackie McLean and Booker Ervin, becoming a very adventurous player.

Gale recorded with Cecil Taylor (Unit Structures). Sun Ra, Larry Young and Elvin Jones, and led six albums of his own during 1968-2007.

He was perhaps best known for his long-time association with Sun Ra.

Gale had a second career as an educator, being an artist-in-residence for a year at Stanford and then, starting in 1972 , teaching in San Jose, California for decades and becoming an important force in bringing jazz into the schools.

Film clips are very rare of Eddie Gale so here is his recording of “Afro Fire (Burning Desire)” from 1989 with a group of Bay area musicians that includes drummer Wally Schnalle.

-Scott Yanow