John Graas

John Graas (1917-1962) was an American jazz French horn player, composer, and arranger active from the 1940s until his death. Renowned for his pioneering role in integrating the French horn into jazz, he was involved with several prominent orchestras and musicians, contributing significantly to the Third Stream movement that blended jazz and classical music. His career included performances with notable ensembles and collaborations with artists such as Stan Kenton and Henry Mancini, until it was truncated by his early death from a heart attack at age 45.

GENRES: Jazz, French Horn