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Born in Philadelphia in 1931, Ray Bryant learnt piano from an early age, playing in church, but soon switched from classical to jazz, and turned professional when he was 14. In the late ‘40s he toured with Tiny Grimes’ band, and then was a solo pianist in Syracuse,N.Y. before returning to Philadelphia to play in clubs there, accompanying visiting musicians like Lester Young and Charlie Parker, and for a while was Carmen McRae’s accompanist until he began recording as soloist and leader. Although he was a fluent player in the bebop idiom, he combined blues, boogie-woogie, gospel, and stride in a distinctive, soulful, and swinging style; as Scott Yanow at Allmusic.com says, “no one played ‘After Hours’ quite like him”. This 37-track 2-CD comprises most of the titles from the albums with his trio “Ray Bryant Trio” on Epic, “Ray Bryant Trio” on Prestige, and “Ray Bryant Plays” on Signature, and from the solo album “Alone With The Blues” on New Jazz. It also includes 1959 No. 12 R&B hit single “Little Susie” on Signature. It features recordings with bass players Wyatt Ruther, Ike Isaacs and Tommy Bryant and drummers Kenny Clarke, Jo Jones, Osie Johnson, Specs Wright and Oliver Jackson. His music was always accessible and entertaining, with fluent improvisations, and this collection of recordings from his early years is an enlightening showcase for his particular brand of jazz piano.
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