Tommy Flanagan • Lonely Town

 

Rarely has such unanimously unstinting praise been bestowed on a less self-congratulatory recipient. As genial and matter-of-fact off the stand as he is fiercely individual at the keys, Tommy Flanagan handles his world class ranking with an equanimity, a modesty, an easy friendliness not always associated with the psychic burden of being Number One. Perhaps because almost instant early recognition by his peers and the universal affection in which he has been held by them over the years has made for a warm and artistically rewarding roost in the jazz jungle for Tommy Flanagan. Or perhaps it is owing to his wholesome origins, as one of six children of an upwardly striving, musically enthusiastic family in Detroit.

Whatever, Flanagan made his professional debut in 1945 at age 15, joining forces with fellow Motor City budding heavyweights Milt Jackson, Thad Jones, Elvin Jones and Kenny Burrell, playing clubs like the Bluebird, Detroit’s renowned jazz room. Flanagan hit New York in 1956, his first gig being a sub job at Birdland for Bud Powell, whom he recalls as a major influence on his own early development, along with Art Tatum and Nat Cole. Flanagan’s own gifts were so readily apparent, in short order he was tapped for recording dates with such jazz icons as Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus and Miles Davis.

In 1957 Flanagan made his first trio album, "Tommy Flanagan Overseas," with Elvin Jones and Wilbur Little, which has been reissued many times and is now a collectors’ item. He made more than 100 recordings from 1956 through 1968, many of which have become essential to any serious jazz record library.

From 1968 to 1978, Flanagan toured extensively with Ella Fitzgerald. During that time his recently reissued trio album, "Montreux 77," was recorded. It was with Ella Fitzgerald that he earned his stripes as a jazz’s supreme accompanist, a designation widely acknowledged throughout the industry.

In 1978, in a momentous departure, Flanagan formed his own trio and has since performed almost exclusively in that format. His recording career has since flowered with 15 universally admired albums as a soloist or leading his trio. Over the years the Tommy Flanagan Trio has boasted such significant drummers as Elvin Jones, Al Foster and Art Taylor. He has also employed such gifted younger drummers as Kenny Washington and more recently Lewis Nash. Since launching his trio, the bassist Flanagan has used most notably has been George Mraz, the Czech virtuoso. Mraz’s ability to follow Flanagan’s abundantly creative, ever surprising trail is impressive.

Flanagan has had four Grammy nominations, two for Best Jazz Performance (Group) and two for Best Jazz Performance (Soloist).

He was voted Top Jazz Pianist in DownBeat’s most recent Readers’ Poll as well as winning Jazz Times’ both Critics’ and Readers’ Poll.

Tommy Flanagan’s lyrical style, at once tough, tender, and bouncing with jaunty humor, expresses a beautifully polished and melodic side of bebop. It has steadily grown in distinction and maturity, and through it all, it swings. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/tommy-flanagan/

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Pocas veces se ha concedido un elogio tan unánime a un destinatario menos autocomplaciente. Tommy Flanagan, tan genial y práctico fuera del estrado como ferozmente individual ante las teclas, maneja su clasificación mundial con una ecuanimidad, una modestia y una amabilidad que no siempre se asocian con la carga psíquica de ser el número uno. Tal vez porque el reconocimiento casi instantáneo de sus colegas y el afecto universal que le han profesado a lo largo de los años han hecho que Tommy Flanagan se haya instalado en la jungla del jazz de forma cálida y artísticamente gratificante. O tal vez se deba a sus buenos orígenes, como uno de los seis hijos de una familia de Detroit entusiasta de la música y con grandes aspiraciones.

Sea como fuere, Flanagan debutó profesionalmente en 1945, a los 15 años, uniendo fuerzas con otros pesos pesados en ciernes de la Motor City, Milt Jackson, Thad Jones, Elvin Jones y Kenny Burrell, tocando en clubes como el Bluebird, la famosa sala de jazz de Detroit. Flanagan llegó a Nueva York en 1956, y su primera actuación fue como suplente en Birdland de Bud Powell, a quien recuerda como una gran influencia en sus inicios, junto con Art Tatum y Nat Cole. Las dotes de Flanagan eran tan evidentes que en poco tiempo fue contratado para grabar con iconos del jazz como Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus y Miles Davis.

En 1957, Flanagan grabó su primer álbum en trío, «Tommy Flanagan Overseas», con Elvin Jones y Wilbur Little, que se ha reeditado en numerosas ocasiones y es ahora una pieza de coleccionista. Realizó más de 100 grabaciones entre 1956 y 1968, muchas de las cuales se han convertido en imprescindibles en cualquier fonoteca de jazz que se precie.

De 1968 a 1978, Flanagan realizó numerosas giras con Ella Fitzgerald. Durante ese periodo se grabó su álbum para trío «Montreux 77», recientemente reeditado. Fue con Ella Fitzgerald con quien se ganó la reputación de acompañante supremo del jazz, una designación ampliamente reconocida en toda la industria.

En 1978, en un cambio trascendental, Flanagan formó su propio trío y desde entonces ha actuado casi exclusivamente en ese formato. Su carrera discográfica ha florecido desde entonces con 15 álbumes universalmente admirados como solista o al frente de su trío. A lo largo de los años, Tommy Flanagan Trio ha contado con bateristas de la talla de Elvin Jones, Al Foster y Art Taylor. También ha empleado a jóvenes bateristas tan dotados como Kenny Washington y, más recientemente, Lewis Nash. Desde que lanzó su trío, el bajista que Flanagan ha utilizado más notablemente ha sido George Mraz, el virtuoso checo. La capacidad de Mraz para seguir la estela abundantemente creativa y siempre sorprendente de Flanagan es impresionante.

Flanagan ha recibido cuatro nominaciones a los Grammy, dos a la mejor interpretación de jazz (grupo) y dos a la mejor interpretación de jazz (solista).

Ha sido elegido mejor pianista de jazz en la última encuesta de los lectores de DownBeat y ha ganado la encuesta de los críticos y los lectores de Jazz Times.

El estilo lírico de Tommy Flanagan, a la vez duro, tierno y rebosante de humor alegre, expresa un lado bellamente pulido y melódico del bebop. Ha crecido constantemente en distinción y madurez, y a través de todo ello, se balancea. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/tommy-flanagan/

Tracklist:
1.America (5:55)
2.Lonely Town (7:28)
3.Tonight (3:44)
4.It's Love (3:45)
5.Lucky To Be Me (4:15)
6.Glitter And Be Gay (4:13)
7.Make Our Garden Grow (3:10)


Credits:
Tommy Flanagan - piano
Joe Benjamin - bass
Elvin Jones - drums

Recorded In New York City
March 10, 1959. Blue Note

1959

 

 

 

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