Beyond the Blue Bird is an album by jazz pianist Tommy Flanagan, with guitarist Kenny Burrell, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Lewis Nash.

Beyond the Blue Bird
Studio album by
Released1991
RecordedApril 29–30, 1990
StudioStudio 44, Monster, Netherlands
GenreJazz
LabelTimeless
SJP 350
Tommy Flanagan chronology
Jazz Poet
(1989)
Beyond the Blue Bird
(1991)
Flanagan's Shenanigans
(1993)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz[2]

Background

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Flanagan's first musical residence, in 1949, was at the Blue Bird Inn in Detroit.[3] As a teenager, he also played with guitarist Kenny Burrell.[3][4] After two years of military service, Flanagan again became house pianist at the Blue Bird,[5] and again worked with Burrell.[6]

Recording and music

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The album was recorded on April 29 and 30, 1990, at Studio 44, in Monster, the Netherlands.[7]

Reception

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The AllMusic reviewer concluded that the album is "a perfect introduction to this tasteful, swinging and creative (within the bop mainstream) pianist."[1]

Track listing

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  1. "Bluebird"
  2. "Yesterdays"
  3. "50-21"
  4. "Blues in My Heart"
  5. "Barbados"
  6. "Beyond the Bluebird"
  7. "Nascimento"
  8. "The Con Man"
  9. "Something Borrowed Something Blue"
  10. "Bluebird After Dark"

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ a b Yanow, Scott "Tommy Flanagan – Beyond the Blue Bird". AllMusic. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  2. ^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (1992). The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, LP & Cassette (1st ed.). Penguin. p. 379. ISBN 978-0-14-015364-4.
  3. ^ a b WKCR broadcast (November 20, 1994) Transcribed at Panken, Ted (March 16, 2013) "For Tommy Flanagan's 83rd Birthday Anniversary, a 1994 Interview on WKCR". Transcript of WKCR radio interview. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  4. ^ Bjorn 2001, p. 95.
  5. ^ Bjorn 2001, p. 131.
  6. ^ Thurber, John (November 18, 2001) "T. Flanagan, 71; Jazz Pianist, Accompanist". Los Angeles Times.
  7. ^ Fitzgerald, Michael (October 2, 2011) "Tommy Flanagan Leader Entry". jazzdiscography.com.

Bibliography

  • Bjorn, Lars (2001). Before Motown: A History of Jazz in Detroit, 1920–60. University of Michigan Press.