There are two things that distinguish pianist
Chris Anderson's career. The first is that he was a teacher and influence/mentor to
Herbie Hancock; the second is that he made some fine recordings in the early '60s that were more dynamic and musically diverse and interesting than many similiar trio and quartet sans brass or reeds dates.
Anderson's phrasing and solo technique can really be heard in early
Hancock releases like
My Point of View or
Fat Albert Rotunda. A 1960 Vee-Jay album with bassist
Bill Lee and drummer
Art Taylor is his finest; Jazz Heritage issued on compact disc the 1987 release Love Locked Out which recognizes
Anderson's impact on
Hancock, though it loses points for rather mundane vocal effects. ~ Ron Wynn