Kenny Drew Trio - Dark Beauty (1974)

Dark Beauty, recorded in 1974 with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Albert "Tootie" Heath, became a break-out hit that helped advance Drew's acclaim. On this album he displays tremendous pianistic skills, intelligent and advanced harmonic sensibilities and driving sense of swing. Pedersen is featured throughout, and his solos demonstrate awe-inspiring technique and imagination. This CD edition contains three bonus tracks which did not appear in the original LP ("A Felicidade," "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "A Stranger In Paradise"). ”


Track listing:

1. Run Away
2. Dark Beauty
3. Summer Night
4. All Blues
5. A Felicidade
6. It Could Happen To You
7. Love Letters
8. Silk Bossa
9. Blues Inn
10. In Your Own Sweet Way
11. Stranger In Paradise

Personnel

Kenny Drew (piano)
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (bass)
Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums)

Recorded in Copenhagen, May 21 & 22, 1974. Originally released by SteepleChase Records in 1974. This reissue CD -- special limited paper sleeve edition -- released in Japan on March 19, 2008.

Tete Montoliu Trio - Tête à Tete (1976)

Tete Montoliu's fourth LP for SteepleChase is primarily a fun-filled trio date with bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath, frequent collaborators with the blind pianist. The influence of Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson is evident in his rollicking take of "What's New?", "We'll be Together Again" follows with some tour de force solo features for the great pianist and finally the 20-minute "Catalan Suite", a medley of five traditional folk songs from Montoliu's homeland, giving ample space to the trio to stretch out; it's a shame one can't hear the words that accompany these joyous melodies. This is essential listening for fans of this late genius of contemporary jazz piano. ”


Track Listing
A1 What's New (Haggart - Burke) 11:08
A2 We'll Be Together Again (Fischer-Lane) 09:10
B1 Catalan Suite (T. Montoliu) 20:01

Personnel:
Tete Montoliu (p)
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (b)
Albert 'Tootie' Heath (d)

Date: February 16, 1976
Location: Weesp, Netherlands

(marvelous sounding) SteepleChase SCS-1054 24bit-96khz LP rip

Kenny Drew Trio - If You Could See Me Now (1974)

Born in New York City in 1928, Drew first recorded with Howard McGhee in 1949, and over the next two years recorded with Buddy DeFranco, Coleman Hawkins, Milt Jackson, Charlie Parker, Buddy Rich, and Dinah Washington. He then led many recording sessions throughout the 1950s, and appeared on John Coltrane's album Blue Train.

Along with several other American jazz musicians who went to Europe, in 1961 he moved to Copenhagen, Denmark. While he sacrificed much of the interest of the American jazz audience, he gained a wide following across Europe. Kenny Drew was a well known figure on the Copenhagen jazz scene, recording many sessions with the Danish bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen.

Kenny Drew and Dexter Gordon appeared onscreen in Ole Ege's theatrically released hardcore pornographic film Pornografi (1971), for which they composed and performed the score.

On his passing in 1993, Kenny Drew was interred in the Assistens Cemetery in Nørrebro, Copenhagen.

His son Kenny Drew, Jr. is also a jazz pianist.

If You Could See Me Now is the sequel album to Kenny Drew's most successful recording Dark Beauty (both for the Danish SteepleChase label). In fact, they were part of the same session as they were recorded a day apart (May 21 & 22 1974 respectively) and finds the trio in top form. Drew is expertly accompanied by Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on bass and Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums.


Track Listing:

In Your Own Sweet Way
If You Could See Me Now
All Souls Here
I'm Old Fashioned
Prelude To A Kiss
This Is The Moment
Oleo