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Happy birthday today to pianist Wynton Kelly, who was only 39 at his death in 1971. Here's a favorite track. Even before the piano solo, he's already stolen the tune with his intro and accompanying ornaments, trills, and counter-melodies on the head.
A stem-to-stern transcription of one of Wynton's great trio performances and the most flat-out swinging version of On Green Dolphin Street that I know. With Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb. 1959.
The articulation is incredible -- the notes pop and bounce even when the tempo is upstairs like on this track with @sonnyrollins in 1957. The four bars of 4th-based ntervallic shit he plays at 3:45 seem to time-warp ahead 10 years. Hello, McCoy!
Wynton had a special connection with Hank Mobley appearing on all four of the saxophonist's peak LPs in 1960-61 (Soul Station/Roll Call/Workout/Another Workout). Everything Wynton plays sparkles and there's never a letdown when the piano solo comes around.
Wynton's connection w/Cannonball was also perfection. Here's a textbook of close-listening accompaniment, striking a groove w/the trio & then making the most of the solo spotlight. Sounds like he was ready to stop after 1 chorus but ends up taking 2.
I learned of this version of "I Want a Little Girl" from Wynton whisperer Mike LeDonne. This is a grown-up tempo that seems to have disappeared: a slow, walking swing -- not quite a ballad but by no means "medium." 1966 with Ron McClure, Jimmy Cobb
Must have been fun for Miles to talk back and forth with Wynton during his solos and then when he put down his trumpet to stand off stage and listen to the best rhythm section in jazz night after night.
Accompanying horn players on a ballad is an art unto itself. Wynton was GREAT at it. From 1963 with Miles.
Wynton worked extensively with Dinah Washington early in his career. This version of This Can't Be Love opens as an a cappella ballad, shifts to a Latin beat, and finally to swing. Wynton's support is right THERE adding witty punctuation in any idiom.
Well, I didn't really mean to create a Wynton Kelly birthday thread, but I guess I did. To close, a track from a fantastic 1960 date led by the pianist, with P.C. and Philly Joe. Quintessential Wynton tempo, articulation, groove, and swing.
