This is an essential acquisition for fans of solo jazz piano.

The excerpts from this concert at the New School were a happy accident; the four pianists were hired to give engineering students a chance to practice recording live performances. Long out of print, this CD reissue adds MC John Hammond's insightful (if poorly recorded) introductions and a number of bonus tracks. Teddy Wilson's opening set is marvelous, though the producers overlooked that his performance of 'Body and Soul' is actually a medley which also includes 'Moonglow.' Claude Hopkins, who was not well-known as a solo pianist, nearly steals the show with his romps through 'Indiana' and 'Three Little Words.' Dill Jones, a Welsh pianist who was likely the least well-known musician heard during the concert, delivers an impressive take of 'Just Squeeze Me' and a show stopping rendition of 'Little Rock Getaway.' But then 89 years old, Eubie Blake takes top solo honors with his enthusiastic set, which now includes his first work 'Charleston Rag' (composed in 1899 at age 16!) and his most popular composition 'Memories of You,' in addition to a lively take of Cole Porter's 'You Do Something to Me' and the still-mislabeled 'Troublesome Ivories' (caused by Blake's apparent memory lapse during the concert, as he introduces it before and after its performance as 'Tricky Fingers'). This is an essential acquisition for fans of solo jazz piano.

Track Listing

• John Hammond/Teddy Wilson Opening Remarks
• Solitude/Take The A Train
• The Man I Love / Someone To Watch Over Me / Nice Work If You Can Get It
• Body & Soul
• Lil' Darlin'
• One O'Clock Jump
• John Hammond/Claude Hopkins Opening Remarks
• Indiana
• Squeeze Me
• I Would Do Most Anything For You
• Three Little Words
• Crying My Heart Out For You
• John Hammond/Dill Jones Comments
• Just Squeeze Me
• African Ripples
• Sign Of The Lion
• Little Rock Getaway
• John Hammond/Eubie Blake Comments
• Charleston Rag
• Melodic Rag
• Tricky Fingers
• You Do Something For Me
• Memories Of You -John Hammond Closing Remarks

Additional Details

Label: Chiaroscuro Records

Genre: Jazz

Run Time: 77:17 mins

Release Date: 03/04/02

UPC: 091454017027