Real Name: Grover Washington, Jr.
Date of Birth / Formation: December 12, 1943
Age / Status: Deceased (December 17, 1999, age 56)
Grover Washington, Jr. was an American jazz-funk and soul-jazz saxophonist who was a pioneer of the smooth jazz genre. He achieved massive crossover success in 1981 with the hit 'Just the Two of Us', featuring vocals by Bill Withers. The song became a global classic and won a Grammy Award. Washington's melodic and soulful playing style made him one of the most popular and influential saxophonists of his generation. Throughout the 1980s, he continued to release successful albums that blended jazz with R&B and pop. His musical legacy remains significant, with his work continuing to be celebrated by fans of jazz and soul music worldwide.