Billy Taylor and Tommy Flanagan - The Study of Bird

http://www.jazzvideoguy.tv presents Billy Taylor and Tommy Flanagan playing in a piano duo, from Billy Taylor's Jazz Counterpoint.

Known for his flawless and tasteful playing, Tommy Flanagan received long overdue recognition for his talents in the 1980s. He played clarinet when he was six and switched to piano five years later. Flanagan was an important part of the fertile Detroit jazz scene (other than 1951-1953 when he was in the Army) until he moved to New York in 1956.

He was used for many recordings after his arrival during that era; cut sessions as a leader for New Jazz, Prestige, Savoy, and Moodsville; and worked regularly with Oscar Pettiford, J.J. Johnson (1956-1958), Harry "Sweets" Edison (1959-1960), and Coleman Hawkins (1961). Flanagan was Ella Fitzgerald's regular accompanist during 1963-1965 and 1968-1978, which resulted in him being underrated as a soloist.

However, starting in 1975, he began leading a series of superior record sessions and since leaving Fitzgerald, Flanagan has been in demand as the head of his own trio, consistently admired for his swinging and creative bop-based style. Among the many labels he has recorded for since 1975 are Pablo, Enja, Denon, Galaxy, Progressive, Uptown, Timeless, and several European and Japanese companies. For Blue Note, he cut Sunset and Mockingbird in 1998, followed a year later by Samba for Felix.

Despite a heart condition, Flanagan continued performing until the end of his life, performing two-week stints at the Village Vanguard twice a year, recording and touring. He died on November 16, 2001, in Manhattan from an arterial aneurysm.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Billy
• Taylor
• Tommy
• Flanagan
• Jazz
• Piano
• Bebop
• Bret
• Primack
• Video
• Guy

[eduardosatellite]

Love Tommy Flanagan: underrated is an understatement. This piano duo is a delight and is like eating sugar, honey and candy. Wonder when was this footage taken

[JazzVideoGuy]

@eduardosatellite This is from a mid-80 series that Billy did on cable TV.

[lblmer]

This is not enjoyable.  Almost sounds like scales. Not musical to me.

[JazzVideoGuy]

@lblmer What Jazz piano is enjoyable to your ears?

[Bgoods91]

@lblmer dude you literally are a dumbfuck.

[JazzVideoGuy]

@Bgoods91 One man's Albert Ayler is another's Kenny G. Listening to music is a completely subjective experience. Some people hear Jazz, others don't. If someone is willing to keep listening, eventually they hear it. But some people don't want to make that commitment. They prefer instant gratification.

[EnryOnTheKeys]

Thank you very much Mr.JazzVideoGuy for this beautiful video.:)

[Borgrimder]

Ornithology, same chords as How High the moon.

[ivantirtakusuma]

You sir made my day. Thanks JazzVideoGuy for sharing, thanks Mr. Flanagan and Taylor.

[papersky1]

@Borgrimder This is actually not true Bird did some substitutions in some places yet if u played moon chords while someone solo'd birds chnges it would still sound good and make sence in a theoretical way

[papersky1]

@lblmer i understand the analogy still i can't help but flame when hearing comparisons of tommy flanagan to Kenny G. Bird's music calls to be played in a certain way and tommy's playing in that style. However there is so much more he's doing then every other average joe that play's this song. he's in complete control never losing the melody just making things sound as sweet as could be.

[lblmer]

@Bgoods91 And you are a genius.