George Wallington: Trios: Complete Sessions on 2 CDs

Featuring: George Wallington (p), Curley Russell, Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford, Pierre Michelot, Teddy Kotick (b), Charlie Perry, Max Roach, Jean-Louis Viale, Art Taylor, Nick Stabulas (d)

George Wallington, accomplished pianist, composer, and arranger, had been closely associated with the progressive jazz movement since the mid-40s when this new phase of American music was being nurtured in New York’s Harlem and along 52nd St. He was, in fact, the pianist with Dizzy Gillespie’s first bop band at the Onyx club in 1944, where his contributions reflected his innate creative ability, a talent that established him as one of the best composers in the progressive field.

Wallington’s astonishing, fast-moving eloquence as a pianist, contrasted strangely with his introvert, laconic manner as a person. He has too long been taken for granted, but these trio sessions prove he was one of the most incisive and creative of pianists who helped write an important new chapter in jazz.(freshsoundrecords. com)