Bud Powell´s Birthday

[Gheorghe]

It was yesterday, september 27th. Sometimes we post "happy birthday" even if the artist had died log ago.

I wanted to honour his birthday by spinnig some of his music.

Due to lack of time I thought I might choose one album, but which one ?

Bud was one of the unhappiest of so many unhappy artists of his time, so I decided to listen to a life recording that was done during a few days, when Bud really was happy.

It was in summer 1964 in Edenville France, where he spent some holyday with some friends and played in an inofficial manner on a bad tuned piano with an amateur bassist and drummer, but with the great Johnny Griffin joining the group on some extended tunes.

Even if the sound quality is not perfect , Bud sounds very very inspired.

It was only a few weeks before his 40th birthday. At that time he had entered in his finale and most unhappy period and it sounds strange how he speaks a few words during the celebration of his birthday, telling in a stiff collared manner "I apreciate your efforts to make my birthday a glad one".

 

[Hardbopjazz]

One of the greatest, if not the greatest jazz pianist of all time. Happy Birthday, Bud.