Bud Powell – Jazz Piano

Bud Powell – Jazz Piano born September 27, 1924

On this date in 1924 “Bud” Powell was born. In a post the other day about pianist Benny Green‘, I stated that his sytle has been compared to Bud Powell’s style. I wouldn’t know because, I know hardly anything about Bud Powell. with the exception that he was a great pianist. I image that he main reason I don’t remember Bud, is that  he died 1966. Another reason is that he spent the years between 1958 and 1963 in Paris. He returned to the US in 1963 and on July 31, 1966, he died of tuberculosis, malnutrition, and alcoholism. Here is some background about Bud from Wikipedia:

Earl Rudolph “Bud” Powell (September 27, 1924 – July 31, 1966) was a jazz pianist who was born and raised in Harlem, New York City. His greatest influences on his instrument were Thelonious Monk, who became his close friend, and Art Tatum. Along with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, Powell was a key player in the development of bebop, and his virtuosity as a pianist led many to call him the Charlie Parker of the piano.Read More

His memory is kept alive at the Bud Powell website, From the site:

Earl “Bud” Powell (1924-1966) is generally considered to be the most important pianist in the history of jazz. Noted jazz writer and critic Gary Giddins, in Visions of Jazz, goes even further, saying that “Powell will be recognized as one of the most formidable creators of piano music in any time or idiom.” Continue Reading

Here’s is a video of Bud performinh the song “Bouncing with Bud”. Sonny Rollins (ts), Fats Navarro (tp), Tommy Potter (b),and Roy Haynes (d). are accompanying him on the song.