Phineas Jr. Newborn Trio / Duke Jordan Trio - LIVE 1986 & 1973
An extremely gifted piano player and the inventor of the double octave technique, the career of Phineas Newborn Jr. (1931- 1989) was seriously marred by his emotional problems, which led to frequent visits to mental institutions and a subsequent semiretirement before dying in obscurity. Highly influenced by Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum and Bud Powell, Newborn possessed an exceptional technique with both hands, as shown here on his composition "Blues for the Left Hand Only". Although many critics of the period felt that Phineas' style was too prone to fireworks and lacked subtlety, his playing on this rare TV show is superb, and clearly justifies Leonard Feather's comment that "In his prime, he was one of the three greatest jazz pianists of all time." Primarily known for his late-forties recordings with Charlie Parker and for being the composer of the standard "Jordu" (which he plays during this concert; the title is a pun on his own name), Duke Jordan (1922- 2006) was nevertheless a very interesting pianist with a subtle touch and very inventive melodic ideas. This 1985 performance finds him in Copenhagen - where he resided since 1978 - backed by local musicians.
Track 1-6: PHINEAS NEWBORN JR. TRIO:
Phineas Newborn Jr. (piano)
Al McKibbon (bass)
Kenny Dennis (drums)
TV Show. Los Angeles, November 1962.

Track 7-10: DUKE JORDAN TRIO:
Duke Jordan (piano)
Jesper Lundgaard (bass)
Age Tandgaard (drums)
Live at Club Montmartre,
Copenhagen, April 7, 1985.
TOTAL TIME: 54 min. approx. B&W / MONO (Newborn) - COLOR/STEREO (Jordan)
Tracklisting:
1. Introduction 2:18
2. Theme for Basie 5:26 (Phineas Newborn Jr.)
3. Lush Life 5:13 (Billy Strayhorn)
4. Blues for the Left Hand Only 3:20 (Phineas Newborn Jr.)
5. New Blues 5:06 (Phineas Newborn Jr.)
6. Oleo 4:32 (Sonny Rollins)
7. Dances a Ball 7:52 (Duke Jordan)
8. Medley: Lush Life (Billy Strayhorn)/Solitude 6:04 (Duke Ellington)
9. Gone with the Wind 7:16 (Grubel-Magidson)
10. Jordu 6:22 (Duke Jordan)
Released 2008.