BARRY HARRIS - Live In Tokyo
Xanadu 906090
Barry Harris ( pno ) Sam Jones ( bass ) Leroy Williams ( drs )
Recorded Yubin Chokin Hall, Tokyo & Nakano Sun Plaza Hall, Tokyo, April 1976
Barry Harris has been a mainstay of the Xanadu label for a number of years he has appeared on a large number of group releases in many respects he was more or less the house pianist. Xanadu recently re-released on CD his album of Tadd Dameron tunes which were reviewed on Jazz Views.
Barry Harris was one of the many bop pianists who followed in the footsteps of Bud Powell and although he was probably not as successful as other pianists in this tradition for example Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan he nevertheless made many fine recordings during his career.
On this live recording he his joined by two more stalwarts of the Xanadu label, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Leroy Williams who live up to their respective reputations on this recording.
Barry Harris has put together a programme of compositions for this concert that reflect his love of the bop period including “Dance Of The Infidels”, “Ornithology” and “A Night In Tunisia” plus a number of standards from the Great American Songbook which include “Like Someone In Love” “Tea For Two”.
All these tracks display fluidity and a great understanding of the style he elected to work in, the tempo he choose for “Tea For Two” shows he his not afraid to be compared to most pianists idol Art Tatum.
This is a release that should warm the hearts of listeners who hold the bop piano style dear to their hearts.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Xanadu 906090
Barry Harris ( pno ) Sam Jones ( bass ) Leroy Williams ( drs )
Recorded Yubin Chokin Hall, Tokyo & Nakano Sun Plaza Hall, Tokyo, April 1976
Barry Harris has been a mainstay of the Xanadu label for a number of years he has appeared on a large number of group releases in many respects he was more or less the house pianist. Xanadu recently re-released on CD his album of Tadd Dameron tunes which were reviewed on Jazz Views.
Barry Harris was one of the many bop pianists who followed in the footsteps of Bud Powell and although he was probably not as successful as other pianists in this tradition for example Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan he nevertheless made many fine recordings during his career.
On this live recording he his joined by two more stalwarts of the Xanadu label, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Leroy Williams who live up to their respective reputations on this recording.
Barry Harris has put together a programme of compositions for this concert that reflect his love of the bop period including “Dance Of The Infidels”, “Ornithology” and “A Night In Tunisia” plus a number of standards from the Great American Songbook which include “Like Someone In Love” “Tea For Two”.
All these tracks display fluidity and a great understanding of the style he elected to work in, the tempo he choose for “Tea For Two” shows he his not afraid to be compared to most pianists idol Art Tatum.
This is a release that should warm the hearts of listeners who hold the bop piano style dear to their hearts.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
