Sunset & The Mockingbird (Blue Note)
Tommy Flanagan
Released May 21, 2002
Grammy Nominee for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo 2003
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kPnwKu0D4tt8G3I3X_WJiVKakGEU14RIQ
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0I92S3EZvyidkoYvha6pVq?si=7j-cVM2XRg2EUIYzkhH1BQ
About:
Known for his flawless and tasteful playing, Tommy Flanagan received long overdue recognition for his talents in the 1980s. He played clarinet when he was six and switched to piano five years later. Flanagan was an important part of the fertile Detroit jazz scene (other than 1951-1953 when he was in the Army) until he moved to New York in 1956. He was used for many recordings after his arrival during that era; cut sessions as a leader for New Jazz, Prestige, Savoy, and Moodsville; and worked regularly with Oscar Pettiford, J.J. Johnson (1956-1958), Harry “Sweets” Edison (1959-1960), and Coleman Hawkins (1961). Flanagan was Ella Fitzgerald’s regular accompanist during 1963-1965 and 1968-1978, which resulted in him being underrated as a soloist. However, starting in 1975, he began leading a series of superior record sessions and since leaving Fitzgerald, Flanagan has been in demand as the head of his own trio, consistently admired for his swinging and creative bop-based style. Among the many labels he has recorded for since 1975 are Pablo, Enja, Denon, Galaxy, Progressive, Uptown, Timeless, and several European and Japanese companies. For Blue Note, he cut Sunset and Mockingbird in 1998.
Track Listing:
1. Birdsong (Thad Jones) 09:16
2. With Malice Toward None (Tom McIntosh) 10:26
3. Let’s (Thad Jones) 07:19
4. I Waited for You (Gil Fuller / Dizzy Gillespie) 05:27
5. Tin Tin Deo (Gil Fuller / Chano Pozo) 14:34
6. Sunset and the Mockingbird (Duke Ellington) 05:52
Grammy Nominee for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo 2003
7. The Balanced Scales/The Cupbearers (Tom McIntosh) 12:42
8. Good Night My Love (Mack Gordon / Harry Revel) 04:08
Personnel:
Tommy Flanagan: piano
Peter Washington: bass
Lewis Nash: drums
Recorded September 24, 2001, at the Apollo Theater in New York
Produced by Diana Flanagan
Review:
Recorded September 24, 2001 at the Apollo Theater in New York, this 2-CD collection contains memorable interpretations of standards and plenty of straight-ahead fun. The veteran, all-star cast assembled for this live performance to benefit the Jazz Foundation of America , an institution devoted to aiding jazz artists in need. Their performance was donated. Contributions of this nature are, indeed, rare in society. However, among the jazz community, it’s not entirely unexpected. The camaraderie that exists within the jazz community has always been strong.
Kenny Barron and Regina Carter interpret “Don’t Explain.” Nnenna Freelon sings “If I Had You” with screeching Jon Faddis at her side. Both are at the peak of their careers. “Fanfare for Four Trumpets” displays incredible chops from Faddis, Jimmy Owens, Randy Brecker and Eddie Allen. The fanfare number is brief, but quite a charmer. Traditional blues, always a welcome portion of any program, appears through the heartfelt phrases expressed by Cassandra Wilson. Ray Bryant interprets “Con Alma” alone, Ahmad Jamal performs “Devil’s In My Den” with a quartet, and Tommy Flanagan’s trio provides “Sunset & The Mockingbird.” It’s a performance of historical proportions. Three tracks put together small ensembles that characterize the spontaneous nature of this music. It’s the kind of jam session found at festivals around the world – when artists who don’t work together routinely find themselves an opportunity to see what happens. It always creates sparks. Clark Terry and Phil Woods, for example, jam on “Wee” with Howard Johnson, Don Braden, Melvin Sparks and others. Fast and fluid, the ensemble reminds us of the tradition: how it all began and how it will continue.
Jim Santella (All About Jazz)
