Junior Mance And His Swinging Piano by Junior Mance Et Son Trio is a fantastic album that showcases the pianist's incredible talent and his ability to create a lively, upbeat atmosphere. The album features ten tracks that are a mix of jazz standards and original compositions. Mance's playing is exceptional, and he is backed by a talented trio that includes Bob Cranshaw on bass and Mickey Roker on drums. The trio's chemistry is evident throughout the album, and they create a seamless, swinging sound that is hard to resist.
One of the standout tracks on the album is the opening track, "The Uptown," which sets the tone for the rest of the album. Mance's playing is energetic and infectious, and the trio's rhythm section provides a solid foundation for his improvisation. Another highlight is "Jubilation," an original composition by Mance that features a catchy melody and some impressive soloing from the pianist.
"Junior" es el nombre del álbum con el que el pianista Junior Mance debutaba en solitario en 1959, producido por Norman Granz para su discográfica Verve Records, el trabajo era un trío que incluía a Ray Brown en el bajo y a Lex Humphries en la batería. Fue precisamente Granz quien ofreció a Mance esta primera oportunidad, al escucharle durante unas sesiones de grabación cuando era parte de la banda de Dizzy Gillespie. Julian Clifford Mance, Jr., que ya tiene 91 años, estuvo en activo y lleno de energía hasta 2016 cuando se retiró. #classicmonday #jazz