It can be easy to take Bud Powell for granted if one temporarily forgets that he largely invented the bop style on piano by the mid-1940s and that, at his best, he successfully battled mental illness to create stirring and intensely swinging music.
On his original “John’s Abbey” from Dec. 27, 1959, Powell races through the song, hitting each note perfectly and never running out of creative ideas.
It is a remarkable performance from Paris’ Blue Note with fine support from bassist Pierre Michelot and drummer Kenny Clarke.
Personnel:
Bud Powell, piano
Pierre Michelot, bass
Kenny Clarke, drums
-Scott Yanow
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