Somewhere in France
When people talk about today's great pianists, Ray Bryant's name must be included. This Philadelphia-born musician, the uncle of guitaristKevin Eubanks, has played with everyone fromCharlie ParkerandMiles DavistoCarmen McRae. He plays with a deep, blues-based sensibility complemented by an uncanny melodic mind. Those attributes are in full effect on this newly unearthed 1993 concert from France. Bryant's powerful left hand pounds out rolling boogie woogie-like basslines on "In the Back Room,"Billy Strayhorn's "Take the A Train," andJohn Lewis's "Django." His take on W.C. Handy's chestnut, "St. Louis Blues," recalls distant echoes of the early stride and gospel pianists, and the frisky melody of "Jungletown Jubilee" reincarnates the keyboard with the ghost ofArt Tatum's swinging supernatural signature. It's all good, and it's all Ray Bryant.--Eugene Holley Jr.