Faced with the choice of any single
Bud Powell date to aptly represent his intense musical genius, choosing
Jazz Giant would not be a bad bet. Culled from two sessions (spring 1949 and winter 1950) this Verve release showcases the master of bebop piano leading a trio -- a setting in which he excelled. With impeccable support from bassist
Ray Brown and drummer
Max Roach, (substitute
Curly Russell for
Brown on the later date), an inspired
Powell roars through a varied selection of original tunes and standards. In the category of brisk burners, we get one of his best-known compositions, the ebullient "Tempus Fugit."
Ray Noble's "Cherokee,"
Harold Arlen's "Get Happy," and the ever-popular "Sweet Georgia Brown" are all taken at almost the same exhilarating clip.
Powell's improvised lines at these breakneck tempos are marvelously clear and clever; take note of the
Benny Harris' "Reets and I" melody which
Powell quotes during his solo statement on "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm." Foreshadowing his less torrential later work is the soulful, buoyant, and supremely swinging "Strictly Confidential," which displays
Powell's early and expert use of block chords to state the theme.
Bud Powell's romantic and reflective side is in evidence on the medium tempo ballad "Celia" (written for his daughter) as well as on two unaccompanied solo piano tracks. Of these,
Powell's haunting composition "I'll Keep Loving You" is outstanding; the subtle tension in his chord voicings, his effective use of contrast, and the consistent lack of clichés would later inform and inspire
Bill Evans' solo piano concept.
Powell's more florid, stride-inflected reading of
Jerome Kern's "Yesterdays" is directly inspired by
Art Tatum. Overall
Jazz Giant (and the earlier session with
Ray Brown, in particular) represents the best of
Powell's Verve recordings. Highly recommended!