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Earl May began his career in 1949 in New York City, and honed his craft in places like Minton's Playhouse with musicians such as Lester Young, Mercer Ellington. He was also a protegé of the legendary Charles Mingus. In 1951 Earl joined the Billy Taylor Trio, appearing regularly in such clubs as the Hickory House, Birdland and the Downbeat Club. During this period Earl also worked with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and recorded the classic "Lush Life" with John Coltrane.
Earl left the Billy Taylor Trio in 1959 to form his own group and act as musical director and arranger for Gloria Lynne. During the mid-sixties Earl took up the electric bass and led a quartet at The New York Playboy Club. The Earl May Quartet rapidly became the epitome of great music in the New York club scene. Over the years Earl has performed or recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Foster, Cab Calloway, Tommy Flanagan, Linda Hopkins, Doc Cheatham, Charles Brown, John Hendricks, Marlena Shaw, Ruth Brown, Winard Harper and Phyllis Hyman to name a few. He is currently featured with the Barry Harris Trio.
Earl has many fans in the New York swing scene, having played at swing dances multiple times in Junior Mance's Trio, Benny Powell's "The Gift of Love" Quintet, and with his own Quintet.
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