London modern jazz was in an expansionist mood in 1959. Work in dance bands was plentiful, jazz gigs thrived in pub back rooms and major labels were knocking at the door. This delightful piano trio album, recorded at Decca Studios over two sessions, captures that optimistic mood with a confident swagger. The tapes, initially mislaid, were recently discovered in a studio clear-out and they now get a welcome first-time release.
Pianist Stan Tracey was playing in the Ted Heath band at the time — his seven-year tenure as house pianist at the recently opened Ronnie Scott’s began the following year. His style drew on American influences, in particular the percussive angularity of Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk and the modernist fluency of Bud Powell. By the time of these recordings, he had forged them into a commanding personal voice.
The first session, featuring Kenny Napper on double bass and Tony Crombie on drums, finds the pianist stamping his personality on four standards. “Sometimes I’m Happy” is the opener, and the pianist’s singular approach immediately surfaces with an introductory scatter of briefly sustained notes. The theme enters, light-touch and playful, but forceful sustains add a bittersweet twist which is toyed with as the piece develops.
“Just You, Just Me” comes next, up-tempo and angular with a downward moving riff, followed by the ballad “Moonlight in Vermont”, rhythmically sustained and delicately voiced. The session ends with Tracey’s left-hand figure giving extra resonance to a be-bop classic, Lester Young’s “Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid”.
The second session delivers four Tracey originals and replaces Crombie with the ebullient Phil Seamen on drums. Tracey’s compositional style combines strong moods and melodic flair with Monk-like cadences. The medium-tempo “Mood 13” finds Tracey stretching out and Napper and Seaman gleefully swapping phrases. Monk’s influence is at its strongest on the mood piece “Little Girl Sadly” and the jaunty “Street of Themes” includes a rare outing for Tracey on vibes.
The session closes with “Pitter Patter Panic”, a riotous up-tempo blast of stabbed chords and loose-skinned snare.
★★★★☆
‘The 1959 Sessions’ is released by ReSteamed Records
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Art-Culture News Click Here
