RAY BRYANT TRIO - Plays
Phoenix 131616
Ray Bryant ( pno ) Tommy Bryant ( bass ) Oliver Jackson ( drs )
Recorded New York, September, October & November 1959
Ray Bryant came from a musical family and became known to fellow musicians as the house pianist at the Philadelphia Blue Note Club, he later worked and recorded with many of the giants in the jazz world including Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and Coleman Hawkins. He is also an accomplished accompanist working with singers like Carmen McRae. He is at his best working in a trio or even as a solo pianist where he excels with his blues and gospel laden playing.
The first twelve tracks were originally issued on the Signature label and consisted of jazz standards written by fellow musicians plus one of his own compositions. The two bonus tracks were two takes of “Little Susie” which became something of a hit for him with it’s catchy melody. Dizzy Gillespie’s “Wheatleigh Hall” is given a suitable fast workout with brother Tmmy Bryant’s bass providing a pulsating beat to Ray Bryant’s nimble piano work.
The John Lewis composition is rarely heard outside the confines of The Modern Jazz Quartet which is a pity as it is delightful tune and Ray Bryant brings out the best in it giving full reign to his melodic talents. Drummer Osie Johnson’s brushwork is immaculate as it is on all tracks which seems to be an art which is fast disappearing.
“Blue Monk” is a composition which lends itself to piano interpretation being written by pianist Thelonious Monk and Ray Bryant gives it a laid back blues feeling. Errol Garner’s ballad “Misty” is a tune which appears to be included in many collections but Ray Bryant brings to it a freshness to it without straying too far from the melody.
Benny Golson’s “Whisper Not” is a pleasant stroll through familiar territory which enhances the composition and brings out nuances in the tune which have not always been apparent.
Ray Bryant’s own number “Sneaking Around fully deserves inclusion amongst these other well tried numbers with it’s catchy theme with its blues come gospel feel.
If you don’t have any representation of Ray Bryant’s playing in your collection this as good a place to start as any.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Phoenix 131616
Ray Bryant ( pno ) Tommy Bryant ( bass ) Oliver Jackson ( drs )
Recorded New York, September, October & November 1959
Ray Bryant came from a musical family and became known to fellow musicians as the house pianist at the Philadelphia Blue Note Club, he later worked and recorded with many of the giants in the jazz world including Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and Coleman Hawkins. He is also an accomplished accompanist working with singers like Carmen McRae. He is at his best working in a trio or even as a solo pianist where he excels with his blues and gospel laden playing.
The first twelve tracks were originally issued on the Signature label and consisted of jazz standards written by fellow musicians plus one of his own compositions. The two bonus tracks were two takes of “Little Susie” which became something of a hit for him with it’s catchy melody. Dizzy Gillespie’s “Wheatleigh Hall” is given a suitable fast workout with brother Tmmy Bryant’s bass providing a pulsating beat to Ray Bryant’s nimble piano work.
The John Lewis composition is rarely heard outside the confines of The Modern Jazz Quartet which is a pity as it is delightful tune and Ray Bryant brings out the best in it giving full reign to his melodic talents. Drummer Osie Johnson’s brushwork is immaculate as it is on all tracks which seems to be an art which is fast disappearing.
“Blue Monk” is a composition which lends itself to piano interpretation being written by pianist Thelonious Monk and Ray Bryant gives it a laid back blues feeling. Errol Garner’s ballad “Misty” is a tune which appears to be included in many collections but Ray Bryant brings to it a freshness to it without straying too far from the melody.
Benny Golson’s “Whisper Not” is a pleasant stroll through familiar territory which enhances the composition and brings out nuances in the tune which have not always been apparent.
Ray Bryant’s own number “Sneaking Around fully deserves inclusion amongst these other well tried numbers with it’s catchy theme with its blues come gospel feel.
If you don’t have any representation of Ray Bryant’s playing in your collection this as good a place to start as any.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
