Ray Bryant (32 Jazz (32128): Ray Bryant: Alone at Montreux

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: August 1, 1999

Ray Bryant’s Piano. Alone At Montreux is the result of 32 Jazz’s Joel Dorn’s tenure at Atlantic records. Through a collaboration with the Atlantic/Rhino re-release project, music that would otherwise go unreleased, will now see the light of ear. There is little live solo Bryant available, making this offering that much more valuable.

The Blues...as Usual. Ray Bryant is a blues player, par excellence. He is equaled only by Gene Harris and Junior Mance. The blues infuses all that Bryant plays, and play is what he does on Alone At Montreux. A pulpit screaming “Gotta Travel On”, an organic “Blues #3/Willow Weep of Me”, and a crowd-pleasing “After Hours” all illustrate why Ray Bryant is so essential as a jazz pianist. His playing exudes the tradition of the church, barrelhouse, and concert hall. He is at home with each.

Urbane. I have always thought of Teddy Wilson as being Mr. Urbanity, but Bryant’s between performance banter helps him give Wilson a run for his money. Confident and humble, this consummate practitioner executes his craft ably and we are fortunate to have a testament of his performance.

Track Listing: Gotta Travel On; Blues #3/Willow Weep for Me; Cubano Chant; Rockin

Personnel: : Ray Bryant: Piano.

Record Label: Atlantic Jazz
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream