Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Wynton Kelly: Live at the Left Bank Jazz Society

373

Wynton Kelly: Live at the Left Bank Jazz Society

By

View read count
Wynton Kelly: Live at the Left Bank Jazz Society
Pianist Wynton Kelly, one of the most respected musicians of his time (1950's - 60's), was better known as a complementary player than band leader. He fit in with countless musical situations (singers, big bands, Coltrane, you name it), and almost anything he played on is worth hearing if only for him. He never meant to upstage anyone, but his ensemble playing was so interesting and full of swing the listener is inevitably drawn to him. His soloing was equally as riveting with ideas pouring out continually. An open-door session like the LBJS with tunes 11 to 25 minutes long (This is a two-CD set.) was ideal for Kelly—the longer he played the better he sounded.

Most of the tunes and arrangements are recycled from the early 60's quartet Kelly co-led with Wes Montgomery ( Smokin' at the Half Note, Verve). Of course the Miles Davis lineage is also apparent although Coleman played in a later band than Kelly and Cobb.

Mr. P.C., a Coltrane blues, serves as the most interesting point of departure, Coleman strolling (without piano accompaniment) briefly in a couple of places and otherwise playing with a more advanced feel. Kelly's intro and opening choruses on the up-tempo On a Clear Day are overwhelmingly infectious in their swing feel.

This recording was not originally intended to be released commercially. The sound is decent considering the circumstances: recorded by a hobbyist on a portable machine, probably reel-to-reel. The balance is not bad, except McClure is barely audible on some cuts. The piano sounds maybe more in tune than the concerts I went to (1970's) at the LBJS. Whatever, the music is so good the sound problems are not noticeable.

Incidentally about five years ago Verve issued a couple of CD's ( Four and Straight No Chaser ) by Joe Henderson with the Kelly trio recorded contemporaneously at the LBJS that are at the same level as this set.

Track Listing

Unit 7; Surrey with the Fringe on Top; On the Trail; Mr. P.C.; On a Clear Day; Here's That Rainy Day; Theme.

Personnel

Wynton Kelly - piano; George Coleman - tenor; Ron McClure - bass; Jimmy Cobb - drums

Album information

Title: Live at the Left Bank Jazz Society | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Blue Moon

Tags

Comments


PREVIOUS / NEXT




Support All About Jazz

Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Eternal Moments
Yoko Yates
From "The Hellhole"
Marshall Crenshaw
Tramonto
John Taylor

Popular

Old Home/New Home
The Brian Martin Big Band
My Ideal
Sam Dillon
Ecliptic
Shifa شفاء - Rachel Musson, Pat Thomas, Mark Sanders
Lado B Brazilian Project 2
Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruíz

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.

Install All About Jazz

iOS Instructions:

To install this app, follow these steps:

All About Jazz would like to send you notifications

Notifications include timely alerts to content of interest, such as articles, reviews, new features, and more. These can be configured in Settings.