Bud Powell has historically been given the title of the Father of modern Jazz Piano. His playing style broke the stride tradition technique that many other jazz piano players, Art Tatum, Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson were using in the 40's, during the bebop era. Bud played left hand voicings or shells of basic II V I progressions and played very fast and articulate solos with right hand, similar to the horn players, Bird, Dizzy, Miles and others. Every jazz pianist from Bill Evans, to Chick Corea, Herbie H have all acknowledged Bud as an innovator and true genius at the highest level of any jazz musician in history and the influence he brought forth. Modern players today are using the basic coming style that Bud used.

In the 40's-50's when jazz was booming, especially in NYC clubs and Harlem, you had Art Tatum and Bud Powell, showing up to hear each other and check out what the competition was up to. Tatum heard Bud and told others that Bud "has no left hand man." When Bud heard about the comment Tatum made about him, he got word to Tatum to show up at the gig. Tatum showed up and Bud played the whole set with just his left hand and Tatum never said another word. Bud proved his stuff.

When Bud was at his peak, it was said no other pianist could touch him, even Tatum, although each pianist had 2 entirely different styles and approaches to jazz. They really cannot be compared. But Bud's version of Cherokee recorded in 1949 left many jazz musicians in awe of the sound Bud was playing. Rumor has it that when Tatum heard Bud's Cherokee, it was said even he was "scared." Tatum did not scare easily.

Here is a link to Cherokee by Bud Powell. Incredible left and right hand work to the max.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uon2Gu6jgf8

Another link to an organ trio in LA playing Cherokee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3lPiX1MSak

Both versions are smokin!! Check em out when you have a minute

katt

Yes, Bud Powell certainly the greatest bebop piano player around that time. Of course he never was the same after the electroshock therapy he went through. The early recordings show him at his prime in my opinion. To know more about Bud I suggest the movie " Round Midnight", which is based on jazz legends Bud Powell and Lester Young.

I saw the movie Bird several times. Bud didn't have such a happy life and died young after many 'treatments." I think he died when he was just 42. I'm glad we have his recordings to learn from and yo inspire us

katt

Bud Powell playing 'All The Things You Are'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0VeXdEa5GI

A book by the man who befriended and took care of Powell during his time in Paris:

http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Infidels-Portrait-Bud-Powell/dp/0306808161

You guys have inspired me to start transcribing Bud. God, is he a higher order! Really tough lines to get right, but even a simple phrase is full of gems...

interesting, Cherokee by Bud Powell? Is it a 4/4 music ?