 Among the many artists he recorded with were Mose Allison, Aretha Franklin, Bob James, Paul Simon (Gale plays a supporting role in the 1980 film "One-Trick Pony", written by and starring Simon), Lena Horne, Quincy Jones, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Peter Tosh, Grover Washington, Jr., Herbie Mann, Esther Phillips, Joe Cocker, Carly Simon, Van Morrison, Al Jarreau, Dave Grusin, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Paul Douglas and Billy Joel.He also had played in Aretha Franklin's stage band.Gale died of lung cancer in May 1994, at the age of 55.