Jim Hession /Lullaby of the Leaves/Don Ewell

http://www.artistopia.com/hessionsession

Two new solo piano CD's are now available as of April,2008.




In 1975 the legendary stride pianist,Don Ewell, accepted an invitation to stay at our home in Winter Park,Florida (when we were entertaining at Disney World). This was in preparation for a joint appearance at the Central Florida Hot Jazz Festival. Other featured artists included Flip Phillips, Billy Butterfield and the World's Greatest Jazz Band. Back at our home after the concert, Don asked Jim if he had ever heard this wonderful standard,one of his personal favorites.He then proceeded to teach Jim this song phrase by phrase. Here Jim performs a totally improvised version of this 1930's classic. Watch for the Johnny Guarnieri influence in the 5/4 segment.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jim
• Hession
• solo
• stride
• don
• ewell
• Johnny
• Guarnieri
• 5/4
• jazz
• piano
• jim
• hession
• improvisation

[alehage]

Hi Jim, how are you?

Great Performance?

have you got pictures of Don?

[jazznbear]

Certainly, in our private family photo albums I have photos from our house and from a radio show that we did together.

[idasynco]

WOW, I love the Lullaby of the Leaves. Nice ending. The stride section at the 2:50 mark is cool, and then it kind of boogies...what a combo. I know of the slower plain version, so this was a delight. Thanx for posting!

[jazznbear]

This music is one of the great Am. songbook classics that is so musically well constructed that it lends itself to various interpretations. My preference is to start a great tune like this with a blank slate and no preconceived arrangement. Whatever picture is painted is just as much a surprise to me as to the listener. Jazz improvisation is the gift that keeps on giving.

[koszghey]

I remember when I was introduced to Eubie, and he learned that I was a good friend of Don Ewell's, he immediately stated that he had willed his piano to Don. I doubt that he ever got this inheritance, because for one thing Don didn't live a whole lot longer than Eubie. I issued Ewell's first significant, and best, piano solo recodings.

[jazznbear]

I discovered Don Ewell through recordings while I was learning the stride piano style in high school. His style appealed to me. Martha and I were delighted to get to know and work with Don during the 1970's. Eubie never mentioned the piano's ultimate destination to us; I am hoping that the grand piano ended up at the Eubie Blake collection in the Maryland Historical Museum.

[chiky2006]

Wow!! You are the MAN!!!

[zorbazig]

Great ! I specially love the ending !

[Squarerig]

Ah,the eight-handed Mr.Hession putting on a bravura performance-again!A moody,haunting tune and played magically br Mr.H.What would Utube be without him?Thank you indeed.

[paztijazz]

i n c r e í b l e

[geow9]

you should enjoy the niels henning ørsted pedersen version on his album "friends forever in memory of kenny drew".

;)