One of the many frustrating ironies of jazz history has to do with Mel Powell. A superb swing pianist in the Earl "Fatha" Hines/Art Tatum/Teddy Wilson vein, Powell was at the height of his powers as a jazz improviser when, in the 1950s, he decided to retire from jazz and put his time and energy into classical music. Before making that decision, he recorded some inspired small-group swing dates for Vanguard in the early to mid-'50s. One of the CDs that illustrates the excellence of Powell's Vanguard output is It's Been So Long, which spans 1953-1956 and contains selections from four of his classic John Hammond-produced LPs (including Borderline and Out on a Limb). Joined by such accomplished soloists as trumpeter Buck Clayton, clarinetist Edmund Hall, and the Lester Young-influenced tenor saxman Paul Quinichette, Powell lets loose and really goes that extra mile. Not surprisingly, many of the songs are associated with Powell's one-time employer Benny Goodman, including "Stompin' at the Savoy," "Avalon," and "If Dreams Come True." After his Vanguard sessions, Powell didn't record another jazz album as a leader until 1987's The Return of Mel Powell on Chiaroscuro. In Powell's case, jazz's loss was certainly classical's gain. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
https://www.allmusic.com/album/its-been-so-long-mw0000667736
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Una de las muchas ironías frustrantes de la historia del jazz tiene que ver con Mel Powell. Powell, un magnífico pianista de swing en la vena Earl "Fatha" Hines/Art Tatum/Teddy Wilson, estaba en el apogeo de sus poderes como improvisador de jazz cuando, en la década de 1950, decidió retirarse del jazz y dedicar su tiempo y energía a la música clásica. Antes de tomar esa decisión, grabó algunas fechas inspiradas de swing en grupos pequeños para Vanguard a principios y mediados de los 50. Uno de los CD que ilustra la excelencia de la producción vanguardista de Powell es It's Been So Long, que abarca 1953-1956 y contiene selecciones de cuatro de sus clásicos LP producidos por John Hammond (incluidos Borderline y Out on a Limb). Acompañado por solistas tan consumados como el trompetista Buck Clayton, el clarinetista Edmund Hall y el saxofonista tenor Paul Quinichette influenciado por Lester Young, Powell se suelta y realmente hace un esfuerzo adicional. No es de extrañar que muchas de las canciones estén asociadas con el antiguo empleador de Powell, Benny Goodman, incluidas "Stompin' at the Savoy"," Avalon " y " If Dreams Come True."Después de sus sesiones de Vanguard, Powell no grabó otro álbum de jazz como líder hasta The Return of Mel Powell on Claroscuro de 1987. En el caso de Powell, la pérdida del jazz fue ciertamente la ganancia de la música clásica. ~ Alex Henderson, Guía de toda la Música
https://www.allmusic.com/album/its-been-so-long-mw0000667736
