Giant Stride

This was the great pianist Dick Wellstood's personal favorite record and one can understand why. The music is very well recorded and Wellstood sounds quite inspired throughout the solo set. For the 1994 CD reissue, the original eight songs are joined by eight additional (and previously unreleased) performances and the quality stays consistently high. Wellstood, who had an open mind toward more modern styles of jazz while keeping his stride piano style undiluted, performs surprising versions of "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" and John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" in addition to some swing standards and classics associated with James P. Johnson, Fats Waller and Earl Hines. Among the highpoints are "Snowy Morning Blues," "If Dreams Come True," "Rosetta" and a piece based on a classical work ("Paganini's Thing"). This is an essential acquisition for classic jazz collectors.

The legendary compilation is back and kicking off 2019 with NOW 102. Featuring 40 of your favourite chart topping hits, as well as 6 bonus throwback tracks from NOW 2 in celebration of 35 years since its release!

Jaki Byard - Here's Jaki (1961) {Prestige–New Jazz OJCCD-1874-2 rel 1995}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 213 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 95 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 38 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1961, 1995 Prestige-New Jazz Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-1874-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Piano

With 24-year-old, metro Detroit bassist Ron Carter and fellow Bostonian, veteran drummer Roy Haynes, pianist Byard has formed a partnership on this recording that effectively grasps modern jazz. This is no standard trio; they're a collective who romps through these seven selections with a surprise or more a minute. It's mainly due to Byard's refusal to sit still. Penning five of these not-so-easy pieces, Byard digs into a 5/4 modal calypso, rippling off minor incursions or stair-step delicate lines for the long jam "Cinco y Quatro."

A wonderful collector's edition of jazz pianists' records in almost all styles from the first ragtimes to modern jazz.