Ornithology
Billy Taylor and Tommy Flanagan
Two masterful pianists jam on a Charlie Parker tune
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In 1985, Billy Taylor was the host of Jazz Counterpoint, a series of half-hour television programs for the Bravo network in which he interviewed and played with a different top jazz pianist during each show.
It would be difficult to come up with two pianists who are more complementary than Billy Taylor and Tommy Flanagan.
On a rousing version of Charlie Parker’s “Ornithology” (based on the chord changes of “How High The Moon”), Taylor and Flanagan trade solos, eight-bar phrases and the melody, clearly having a good time while creating some enjoyable music.
Personnel:
Billy Taylor, piano
Tommy Flanagan, piano
– Scott Yanow
