Kelly Blue (Hqcd)

Limited vinyl LP pressing of this classic album by the jazz pianist. A favorite accompanist of Miles Davis and Dinah Washington, pianist Wynton Kelly (1931-1971) found his own distinctive voice in the bop and hard-bop worlds with his blues-inspired style of playing. 1959's Kelly Blue features bluesy originals by Kelly as well as several standards. Coming off of his success as a sideman with Davis' sextet, Riverside Records gave Kelly an opportunity to expand on his solo career. Kelly Blue was his second LP for the label. The songs feature Kelly and bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb. Together they had formed the rhythm section for the Miles Davis bands. Guests include Nat Adderley, Bobby Jaspar and Benny Golson. Producer and jazz critic Orrin Keepnews described the album as "a repertoire ideally suited to the blues concept on which the album is based".