In addition to his work as sideman, Tate released many albums as leader and lent his voice to songs in the animated Schoolhouse Rock!

The Grady Tate sound can be heard prominently on many of the classic Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery albums recorded on the Verve label in the 1960s.

As a sideman, Tate played with musicians including Jimmy Smith, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Quincy Jones, Stan Getz, Cal Tjader, Wes Montgomery, Eddie Harris, J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding and Michel Legrand.

[5] For the 1973 motion picture Cops And Robbers, Tate sang the title song, written by Michel Legrand and Jacques Wilson.

[7][1] He was survived by his wife Vivian and son Grady, Jr.[1][7] With Benny Bailey With Ray Bryant With Kenny Burrell With Johnny Hodges With J. J. Johnson With Quincy Jones With Oliver Nelson With Houston Person With Jimmy Rushing With Lalo Schifrin With Zoot Sims With Jimmy Smith With Billy Taylor With Cal Tjader With others