One of the biggest stars of R&B, contemporary and straight-ahead jazz, Gerald Albright has earned his reputation as a “musician’s musician.”  Born in Los Angeles, he began piano lessons at an early age.  Albright’s love of music picked up considerably when he was given a saxophone that had belonged to his piano teacher.  By the time he enrolled at the University of Redlands, he was already a polished saxophonist.  Albright decided to switch to bass guitar after he saw Louis Johnson in concert.  A few months after graduating from college, he joined jazz pianist/R&B singer Patrice Rushen, who was in the process of forming her own band.  Later, when the bass player left in the middle of a tour, Albright replaced him and finished the tour on bass guitar.