Tommy Flanagan

Idrees Sulieman, John Coltrane, Kenny Burrell, Tommy Flanagan – The Cats (1957/2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · December 13, 2023 · Comments off

The Cats is an album by jazz pianist Tommy Flanagan recorded on April 18, 1957 and released in December 1959 on New Jazz, a subsidiary label of Prestige Records. It is credited to Flanagan, saxophonist John Coltrane, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and trumpeter Idrees Sulieman. It was issued after Coltrane’s Prestige contract had ended.

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Tommy Flanagan – Overseas (1957) [Analogue Productions Remaster 2013] MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

SACD / DSD By admin · October 15, 2023 · Comments off

This studio session represents one of Tommy Flanagan’s earliest dates as a leader, recorded while he was in Stockholm, Sweden. Bassist Wilbur Little and a young Elvin Jones on drums provide strong support, but the focus is on Flanagan’s brilliant piano. The brilliant opener is a potent brisk run through Charlie Parker’s “Relaxin’ at Camarillo,” followed by a faster than typical “Chelsea Bridge,” which the leader playfully detours into another Billy Strayhorn composition (“Raincheck”) for a moment, while also featuring Jones’ brushwork in a pair of breaks. Flanagan’s approach to the venerable standard “Willow Weep for Me” is steeped in blues, backed by Little’s imaginative accompaniment. The bulk of this date is devoted to Flanagan’s compositions, though only one, “Eclypso,” remained in his repertoire for long. This engaging piece alternates between calypso and bop, with Jones switching between sticks and brushes. “Beat’s Up” has the obvious influence of Bud Powell, while the extended blues “Little Rock” opens with a sauntering bass solo. This album has been released under various titles on several labels.

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Tommy Flanagan – Someday Soon (2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · October 13, 2023 · Comments off

Thomas Lee Flanagan (March 16, 1930 – November 16, 2001) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He grew up in Detroit, initially influenced by such pianists as Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, and Nat King Cole, and then by the newer bebop musicians. Within months of moving to New York in 1956, he had recorded with Miles Davis and on Sonny Rollins’ landmark Saxophone Colossus. Recordings under various leaders, including the historically important Giant Steps of John Coltrane, and The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery, continued well into 1962, when he became vocalist Ella Fitzgerald’s full-time accompanist. He worked with Fitzgerald for three years until 1965, and then in 1968 returned to be her pianist and musical director, this time for a decade.

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Tommy Flanagan – Solo Piano (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · October 10, 2023 · Comments off

Solo Piano is an album by jazz pianist Tommy Flanagan. It was recorded in 1974 and released in 2005 by Storyville Records.

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Tommy Flanagan – Flanagans Shenanigans (2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · October 10, 2023 · Comments off

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

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Hank Jones & Tommy Flanagan – I’m All Smiles (1984/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/88,2kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · March 3, 2023 · Comments off

„Although Tommy Flanagan tended to refer to two-piano dates as a gimmick, that’s hardly the case during this superb 1983 concert in Germany with Hank Jones. The two pianists have the kind of feel for one another’s playing that avoids the crash of egos and instead inspires the give and take necessary for each performance to reach its full potential. Immediately, the two veterans captivate their audience with a stunning aggressive improvisation upon Charlie Parker’s ‘Relaxin’ at Camarillo,’ then immediately quiet them with a soft, lyrical interpretation of the gorgeous ballad ‘In a Sentimental Mood.’ They’re clearly having a lot of fun during their upbeat waltz through the popular ballad ‘Someday My Prince Will Come.’ The rest of the concert is every bit as fulfilling, with an inspired treatment of ‘Rockin’ in Rhythm’ getting the nod as the highlight of a memorable evening.“ (Ken Dryden, AMG)

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