About
Richie Powell contributes one chorus of piano on this alternate take of "Joy Spring," soloing third after Harold Land and Clifford Brown at approximately 165 BPM. He navigates the ABCA form's harmonic landscape with the tasteful melodic invention that characterized his work throughout the Brown-Roach discography. Powell's solo provides an effective change of color between the horn features and Max Roach's concluding drum solo, his lighter touch and pianistic textures offering a natural contrast to the weightier sounds of trumpet and tenor saxophone. The performance captures the 22-year-old pianist in the process of developing a distinctive voice within one of jazz's most celebrated ensembles.
Richie Powell was 22 to 23 years old at the time.
Comments
What do you think of this solo?