The Jazz Legend Chuck Wayne is Celebrated at Alor Cafe

Born February 27, 1923 to a Czech family in NYC was Chuck Wayne. He rose to prominence in his 20's as a jazz guitarist in the 1940's. In 1949 Wayne landed himself a spot in the George Shearing Quintet. You can spot Chuck's guitar on the hit "September in the Rain", one of Shearing's most notable tunes. By 1954 Chuck had moved on to be Tony Bennett's music director and accompanist.
Throughout the 50's and 60's Chuck peppered his resume with clubs and venue's all over the New York area.

Throughout his career Chuck had the opportunity to play with music stars such as Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Young, Sarah Vaughan, Woody Herman, Joe Bushkin and Hank Jones, among others. Wayne’s own “String Fever” enjoys cult status among jazz guitar fans. Also producing 5 albums of his own.

Wayne was a longtime resident of Staten Island until moving to New Jersey in 1991. Where he pasted in 1997. Survived by his wife, Mrs. Wayne, who lives in New Jersey, has been gathering accolades from some of her husband’s surviving colleagues. The late pianist George Shearing sent her a “very complimentary” letter just weeks before his death this past January.

Mr. Wayne was well respected in the Jazz world and kept papers of his works. The papers of celebrated jazz guitarist and longtime Staten Islander Chuck Wayne (1923-1997) will be preserved this spring at the Library of Congress.

The musician’s widow, Diane Wayne, is pleased to have found a good home for the material — photographs, sheet music, programs, clippings, correspondence and recordings.

“I have been concerned about safeguarding my husband’s contribution to American music, his legacy,” said Mrs. Wayne, “and now the matter has been settled.”  

The collection will be available to musicians, musicologists and historians.