This Single-Layer SACD can only be played on a Super Audio CD Player!
Bop Pianist on SACD!
Born in New York City to a composer father, Jazz pianist Walter Bishop Jr.’schildhood friends included future jazz musicians Kenny Drew, Sonny Rollins, andArt Taylor. Brought up in Harlem, he left high school to play in dance bands inthe area, and later became part of drummer Art Blakey’s Messengers. Bishopdeveloped his bebop playing in part by playing in jam sessions at Minton’sPlayhouse. He recorded with Milt Jackson and Stan Getz in 1949, then played withCharlie Parker (195154), Oscar Pettiford, Kai Winding, and Miles Davis(195153). In 1956, he recorded with Hank Mobley. In the early 1960s he also ledhis own trio with Jimmy Garrison and G. T. Hogan. His debut recording as aleader was in 1961 with Speak Low.
“This is one of the last sessions by Walter Bishop, Jr. prior to his death in1998. The veteran bop pianist is in great form on this trio date with bassistPaul Brown and drummer Al Harewood, which mixes standards, bop classics, andseveral originals. Bishop’s jaunty approach to ‘Yardbird Suite’ is a gem, whilehis lush treatment of ‘The Masquerade Is Over’ finds the rhythm section stayingsoftly in the background. He revisits ‘Speak Low,’ a centerpiece of his firstdate as a leader some 32 years earlier, playfully detouring into BillyStrayhorn’s ‘Rain Check’ and leaving room for a few drum breaks by Harewood. His’Valley Land’ is an intense mid-tempo samba, while ‘Keiko’s Samba’ kicks into ahigher gear. This Japanese CD on the Venus label is worth seeking.” -AllMusic
Features:
Super Audio CD
SACD Stereo SACD Layer
This Single-Layer SACD can only be played on a Super Audio CD Player! It willNOT play on conventional CD Players!
Made in Japan
Musicians:
Walter Bishop Jr., piano
Paul Brown, bass
Al Harewood, drums
Selections:
1. Speak Low
2. Valley Land
3. Bish Bash Blues
4. The Masquerade Is Over
5. Keiko’s Samba
6. Just Friends
7. Yardbird Suite
Recorded at Sear Sound Studio in New York on June 14, 1993
