1. Solo Piano

Solo Piano / Tommy Flanagan

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Tommy Flanagan was always known for his tasteful, flawless and swinging piano playing. The American jazz pianist and composer grew up in Detroit and was initially influenced by artists Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, and Nat King Cole. Within months of moving to New York in 1956 he was recording with Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins. His recordings under various leaders, including the historic Giant Steps of John Coltrane, continued well into 1962 when he became vocalist Ella Fitzgerald’s full time accompanist. He added class to every session that he was involved in and fortunately he was well documented during the latter part of his career.

Solo Piano was not initially released until decades after its 1974 recording. It is significant historically because this outing was the pianist’s first record date as a leader in 13 years and, most importantly, because it is very good music.

REVIEW:

What strikes me most on this solo album is the clarity Flanagan brings to each of the tunes. The more "cerebral" jazz artists often begin an account of a tune with a "variation" resulting from thick embellishment of the melody itself and/or the rhythm of that melody. Flanagan consistently begins by honoring his "source material," after which he unfolds no shortage of embellishments involving the tune, its rhythms, and the underlying chord progressions. This was the "bread-and-butter" approach to jazz improvisation during the second half of the twentieth century; and, as such, the album is not only an account of bravura solo piano work but also a first-rate introduction to cultivating the skills of listening to jazz.

-- The Rehearsal Studio (Steven Smoliar)



Product Description:


  • Release Date: June 18, 2021


  • Catalog Number: SVL1018491


  • UPC: 717101849123


  • Label: Storyville Records


  • Number of Discs: 1


  • Period: Jazz


  • Composer: Edgar Sampson, Harold Arlen, Tadd Dameron, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Jerome Kern, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Richard Rodgers, Billy Strayhorn, Chick Webb


  • Performer: Tommy Flanagan



Works:


  1. Parisian Thoroughfare

    Composer: Bud Powell

    Performer: Tommy Flanagan (Piano)


  2. Wail

    Composer: Bud Powell

    Performer: Tommy Flanagan (Piano)


  3. Isn't It Romantic

    Composer: Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart

    Performer: Tommy Flanagan (Piano)


  4. Sleepin' Bee

    Composer: Truman Capote, Harold Arlen

    Performer: Tommy Flanagan (Piano)


  5. Yesterdays

    Composer: Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach

    Performer: Tommy Flanagan (Piano)


  6. Stompin' At The Savoy

    Composer: Benny Goodman, Andy Razaf

    Performer: Tommy Flanagan (Piano)


  7. Strayhorn Medley (Passion Flower-Chelsea Bridge-Pretty Girl-U.M.M.G.)

    Composer: Billy Strayhorn

    Performer: Tommy Flanagan (Piano)


  8. Con Alma

    Composer: Dizzy Gillespie

    Performer: Tommy Flanagan (Piano)


  9. If You Could See Me Now

    Composer: Tadd Dameron, Carl Sigman

    Performer: Tommy Flanagan (Piano)


  10. Ruby My Dear

    Composer: Thelonious Monk

    Performer: Tommy Flanagan (Piano)


  11. Lover

    Composer: Richard Rodgers

    Performer: Tommy Flanagan (Piano)