There isn’t much biographical information available about bassist, Vivien Garry, although she appears to have had a relatively rich career if her discography is any indication.

She married with guitar virtuoso Arv Garrison, she led both a trio (including her husband on guitar and Wini Beatty on piano), and quintet in New York in the ’40s and was also active in the Los Angeles jazz scene. They swung so hard and played so relaxed and tastefully, but with virtuosity in all the right places. They chose great tunes, interpreted them creatively, and with an irresistible energy that invites to dance. Interesting to note that there’s a pretty terrible review of some recordings of Garry’s Quintet in Billboard’s August 1947 issue. This band included Edna Williams of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm on trumpet and Ginger Smock on violin. Billboard reported that Edna Williams’ trumpet playing is especially outstanding on every side, the spirit of the whole band is driving and fiery, even if slightly less glossy than some other recordings at that time.

In her book, New York City Jazz, Elizabeth Dodd Brinkofski writes that Vivien’s groups “played all over Manhattan’s top jazz nightclubs in the 1940s.” She goes on to write that “this was the beginning of women gaining attention as musicians in the genre of jazz.” Though that may be difficult to believe given there is little information readily available on Vivien Garry and the musicians with whom she recorded, like Ginger Smock, Edna Williams, Dody Jeshke, and her pianist Winnie Beatty. Brinkofski also writes that “Viven Garry was the only female bass player that performed on Fifty-Second Street.”

Vivien Garry died on December 1, 2008

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