American bassist, violinist, and composer Henry Grimes was a pioneering figure in free jazz and avant-garde music. Born in Philadelphia, Grimes studied at Juilliard and quickly established himself as a versatile and innovative bassist. In the 1950s and ’60s, he performed and recorded with jazz legends including Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Albert Ayler, and Cecil Taylor.

After a long absence from the music scene beginning around 1970, Grimes was rediscovered in 2002 and made a remarkable comeback, performing internationally and releasing numerous recordings until his retirement in 2018 due to Parkinson’s disease. He also performed on violin and was a poet. Grimes’s work remains influential for his powerful contributions to jazz improvisation and free music.