RED GARLAND TRIO – Swingin’ On The Korner
Elemental Music 5990426 (2 CD set)
Red garland (piano); Leroy Vinnegar (bass); Philly Joe Jones (drums)
Recorded Live at the Keystone Korner, San Francisco on December 6-10, 1977
Pianist Red Garland could so easily become one of the forgotten figures in jazz. If it had not been for his tenure with Miles Davis’ first great quintet, and part of what was to be considered The Rhythm Section in jazz with bassist Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones at the drums, then it is highly unlikely that he would be remembered and talked about today with such reverence. It appears that great talent can be overlooked if not for fortuitous circumstances, and Miles insistence in having him in his group, despite disparaging remarks from those around him, certainly place Red in ‘the right place and the right time’.
This timely release therefore serves to remind us that Garland had his own musical life, both during and after his stint with Davis, and also that he was very much his own man. If Miles had wanted him to bring a bit of ‘Ahmad Jamal’ into his playing with his quintet, then Garland showed that away from Miles he was no mere imitator but had a language and style of his own.
Recording under his own name for Prestige, Garland cut some memorable albums in the fifties and early sixties. After that his activities, and absences, are more sporadic and difficult to trace, and makes this release an even greater bonus. Capturing over 150 minutes of previously unissued material with two sympathetic companions that convened for this short residency at the keystone Korner (the three musicians never played together as a unit before or after).
This magnificent 2 disc set captures music from performances throughout the five day stay at the club, with recordings taken directly from the sound board. The trio swing hard on the up tempo numbers with Garland’s use of block chords alternating single note runs with his unique rhythmic and melodic sense bringing heightened drama to his solos. Combined with drum maestro, Philly Joe Jones and the solid support from bassist Vinnager the music ebbs and flows effortlessly, with Jones frequently turning up the heat and keeping the engine purring nicely.
The repertoire of standards contains many tunes that were associated with his former boss, that Garland recorded with Davis and the quintet for Prestige and Columbia such as ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ and ‘Dear Old Stockholm’, and it seems entirely appropriate that the pianist should revisit ‘Billy Boy’ the trio piece that he recorded for the trumpeter’s classic Milestones LP some twenty years earlier.
Elsewhere the ballads through up many delights, with a beautiful ‘Never Let Me Go’ and ‘The Christmas Song’ with the set concluding with fine reading of Cole Porter’s ‘It’s Alright With Me’ that segues into ‘The Theme’.
Simply, this is a must have album for anyone interested in Garland’s playing, and indeed of good piano jazz.
Elemental Music 5990426 (2 CD set)
Red garland (piano); Leroy Vinnegar (bass); Philly Joe Jones (drums)
Recorded Live at the Keystone Korner, San Francisco on December 6-10, 1977
Pianist Red Garland could so easily become one of the forgotten figures in jazz. If it had not been for his tenure with Miles Davis’ first great quintet, and part of what was to be considered The Rhythm Section in jazz with bassist Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones at the drums, then it is highly unlikely that he would be remembered and talked about today with such reverence. It appears that great talent can be overlooked if not for fortuitous circumstances, and Miles insistence in having him in his group, despite disparaging remarks from those around him, certainly place Red in ‘the right place and the right time’.
This timely release therefore serves to remind us that Garland had his own musical life, both during and after his stint with Davis, and also that he was very much his own man. If Miles had wanted him to bring a bit of ‘Ahmad Jamal’ into his playing with his quintet, then Garland showed that away from Miles he was no mere imitator but had a language and style of his own.
Recording under his own name for Prestige, Garland cut some memorable albums in the fifties and early sixties. After that his activities, and absences, are more sporadic and difficult to trace, and makes this release an even greater bonus. Capturing over 150 minutes of previously unissued material with two sympathetic companions that convened for this short residency at the keystone Korner (the three musicians never played together as a unit before or after).
This magnificent 2 disc set captures music from performances throughout the five day stay at the club, with recordings taken directly from the sound board. The trio swing hard on the up tempo numbers with Garland’s use of block chords alternating single note runs with his unique rhythmic and melodic sense bringing heightened drama to his solos. Combined with drum maestro, Philly Joe Jones and the solid support from bassist Vinnager the music ebbs and flows effortlessly, with Jones frequently turning up the heat and keeping the engine purring nicely.
The repertoire of standards contains many tunes that were associated with his former boss, that Garland recorded with Davis and the quintet for Prestige and Columbia such as ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ and ‘Dear Old Stockholm’, and it seems entirely appropriate that the pianist should revisit ‘Billy Boy’ the trio piece that he recorded for the trumpeter’s classic Milestones LP some twenty years earlier.
Elsewhere the ballads through up many delights, with a beautiful ‘Never Let Me Go’ and ‘The Christmas Song’ with the set concluding with fine reading of Cole Porter’s ‘It’s Alright With Me’ that segues into ‘The Theme’.
Simply, this is a must have album for anyone interested in Garland’s playing, and indeed of good piano jazz.
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Reviewed by Nick Lea
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