Jazz / Bop; Hard Bop
Tommy Flanagan - Piano
Tommy Flanagan Trio
Arnved Meyer Executive Producer
Brian Priestley Liner Notes
Chris Olesen Layout Design, Artwork
Flemming Madsen Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Baritone)
Henrik Bolberg Pedersen Trumpet
Jan Persson Photography
Jan Zum Vohrde Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Sax (Alto), Fiddle
Jesper Lundgaard Bass
Jesper Thilo Sax (Tenor)
Lewis Nash Drums
Norton Sisters Vocals
Ole Kock Hansen Arranger
Ole Matthiessen Producer
Ronald Skovdal Engineer
Rosemary Calvin Vocals
Steen Hansen Horn, Soloist, Horn (Baritone)
Uffe Markussen Sax (Tenor), Sax (Soprano), Clarinet (Bass)
Vaughn Monroe Vocals, Main Performer
Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra Performer
Vincent Nilsson Horn (Baritone), Horn, Soloist
Tommy Flanagan was honored with the Jazzpar Prize in 1993 by the Danish Jazz Center and took part in a special concert as all honorees have. The pianist is always a treat to hear in a live setting, and this evening is no exception. His trio includes bassist Jesper Lundgaard and drummer Lewis Nash, while on the first four numbers he is joined by the six piece Jazzpar Windtet. "Eclypso" and "Beyond the Bluebird," two of the pianist's best-known works, are highlights of this portion of the concert, with the former featuring a memorable baritone horn solo by Vincent Nilsson. Jesper Thilo, arguably one of Europe's best tenor saxophonists, takes the place of the Windtet on Quincy Jones' lovely ballad "For Lena and Lennie." The trio is featured the rest of the way; the catchy blues "Flanagan's Shenanigan's" (written by pianist James Williams) and Flanagan's lyrical interpretation of "But Beautiful" particularly command your attention. As one of the relatively rare live recordings featuring Tommy Flanagan as a leader, this CD is warmly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Tommy Flanagan
Active Decades: '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s
Born: Mar 16, 1930 in Detroit, MI
Died: Nov 16, 2001 in New York, NY
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Bop, Ballads, Hard Bop, Mainstream Jazz
Known for his flawless and tasteful playing, Tommy Flanagan received long overdue recognition for his talents in the 1980s. He played clarinet when he was six and switched to piano five years later. Flanagan was an important part of the fertile Detroit jazz scene (other than 1951-1953 when he was in the Army) until he moved to New York in 1956. He was used for many recordings after his arrival during that era; cut sessions as a leader for New Jazz, Prestige, Savoy, and Moodsville; and worked regularly with Oscar Pettiford, J.J. Johnson (1956-1958), Harry "Sweets" Edison (1959-1960), and Coleman Hawkins (1961). Flanagan was Ella Fitzgerald's regular accompanist during 1963-1965 and 1968-1978, which resulted in him being underrated as a soloist. However, starting in 1975, he began leading a series of superior record sessions and since leaving Fitzgerald, Flanagan has been in demand as the head of his own trio, consistently admired for his swinging and creative bop-based style. Among the many labels he has recorded for since 1975 are Pablo, Enja, Denon, Galaxy, Progressive, Uptown, Timeless, and several European and Japanese companies. For Blue Note, he cut Sunset and Mockingbird in 1998, followed a year later by Samba for Felix. Despite a heart condition, Flanagan continued performing until the end of his life, performing two-week stints at the Village Vanguard twice a year, recording and touring. He died on November 16, 2001, in Manhattan from an arterial aneurysm.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
