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Jazz Articles about Willie "The Lion" Smith

About Willie "The Lion" Smith

344

Album Review

Willie "The Lion" Smith & Don Ewell: Stride Piano Duets—Live in Toronto, 1966

Read "Stride Piano Duets—Live in Toronto, 1966" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza

by Jerry D'Souza
September 13, 2008

Willie “The Lion" Smith was one of the great stride pianists whose style and approach were an inspiration to many. His ideas were fermented by a larger-than-life presence that he transfused into his playing. He also transmitted his unabashed exuberance to his audience. The power of his playing and his animation come to the fore on this recording with Don Ewell.

Ewell was a stride pianist in a class of his own. He may not be as well ...

221

Album Review

Willie "The Lion" Smith & Don Ewell: Stride Piano Duets. Live In Toronto 1966

Read "Stride Piano Duets. Live In Toronto 1966" reviewed by Nic Jones

by Nic Jones
August 2, 2008

The more time passes, the starker the light thrown on a release like this. This is a point that can't be emphasized enough when it comes to something like the stride piano style and Delmark deserves high praise indeed for putting in the work necessary to get this music out there.

Smith was arguably the greatest stride exponent, but it would be a little misleading to suggest that Ewell was a relative acolyte, especially in view of the fact that ...