MAO Legendás Albumok | Wynton Kelly Trio: New Faces, New Sounds

The significance of the Blue Note record label can hardly be overestimated. After 1945, the famous albums with the blue note label recorded the pioneers of bebop, followed by the defining small ensemble recordings of the hard bop era – these became the eternal highlights of jazz. The soloists of the Modern Art Orchestra revisit moments captured on the blue and white label records, drawing on recordings from the first great era.

Jamaican-born but New York-raised pianist Wynton Kelly (1931-1971) became world famous with Wes Montgomery and then as a member of the Miles Davis quintet, while also making timeless recordings in a trio. He made his first recordings in 1951 with the impressive bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Lee Abrams. Blue Note released it under the title New Faces, New Sounds, later changing it to the more apt Piano Interpretations. Kelly was influenced by the rhythm and blues school and performers with superb technique such as Teddy Wilson: his playing is cheerful, nimble, appealing, and even mischievous – perhaps because he was not yet twenty at the time. He excels in harmonization in blues numbers and in fast, lively runs in fast numbers. This material is a treat for pianist Gábor Cseke, who always articulates precisely and clearly, and for the rhythm section.