I Want To Be Happy

Bud Powell

The bop pianist at his best

For the often-troubled pianist Bud Powell, his stay in France during 1959-64 resulted in a renaissance in his playing and sometimes in his life in general.

This television appearance from July 1, 1961 with bassist Jean Marie Ingrand (substituting for Pierre Michelot) and drummer Kenny Clarke features Powell in top form, romping through an uptempo version of “I Want To Be Happy.”

-Scott Yanow