Requisites
Montreux ‘77 ~ Tommy Flanagan 3 | By Eddie Carter
I’ve admired and been a fan of pianist Tommy Flanagan for many years, so I was delighted to come across a delightful live album with his trio, Montreux ’77 (Pablo Live 2308-202). Tommy, a Detroit native, drew early inspiration from three legends: Nat King Cole, Art Tatum, and Teddy Wilson, as well as local greats Earl Van Riper and Willie Anderson. Throughout a remarkable forty-five-year career, he recorded thirty-six albums as a band leader and appeared as a sideman on over two hundred albums, many of which are regarded as jazz classics. Flanagan’s longest tenure was thirteen years as an accompanist and musical director to Ella Fitzgerald. Joining him on this date are Keter Betts on bass and Bobby Durham on drums. My copy of the album is the 1977 U.S. stereo release.
Barbados by Charlie Parker sets an upbeat tone to begin the trio’s set, with Flanagan’s introduction segueing into a vivacious melody. Tommy takes the lead with a spirited performance. Keter makes every note sparkle in the following solo, while Bobby’s steady rhythms anchor the soloists. The pianist returns for a rousing finale that draws enthusiastic applause from the audience. A pair of timeless jazz standards is up next. Some Other Spring by Arthur Herzog, Jr. and Irene Kitchings offers Flanagan the spotlight for a solo of exquisite tenderness. The trio then moved into “Easy Living” by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin. Tommy remains the only soloist, and he gives a warm, sultry and deeply sincere performance, gracefully supported by Keter and Bobby into a soft, mesmerizing close.
Side Two begins with Flanagan’s gentle introduction to Star Crossed Lovers by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. The pianist enchants the listener in a beautiful solo of heartfelt lyricism until the beat moves upward for “Jump For Joy” by Duke Ellington, Sid Kuller, and Paul Francis Webster. After the trio’s melody swings in unison, Tommy begins the song’s only solo with infectious enthusiasm and an array of inventive ideas preceding a rousing reprise and finish. Dizzy Gillespie’s Woody ‘n’ You is off to the races from the start of Tommy’s introduction, leading to the trio’s vigorous theme. Flanagan forges ahead into the spotlight for the song’s only solo exuberantly until the ensemble reconvenes for a brisk closing chorus and a rousing ovation from the audience.
Blue Bossa by Kenny Dorham opens with the trio’s irresistibly rhythmic and lively theme. Tommy has the first say, and his fingers soar effortlessly across the keys. Keter follows, infusing the second statement with firm bass lines. The song culminates in a spirited conversation between Tommy and Bobby, leading to the trio’s danceable, infectious reprise and an enthusiastic ovation from the audience. Norman Granz produced the album, and Mountain Recording Studios was behind the dials. Val Valentin remixed this live date. The sound quality is very good except on the final track, Blue Bossa. During Keter Betts’s bass solo on this song, there’s a harshness or distortion that, while annoying, especially if you’re listening through headphones, doesn’t fully detract from the music.
Tommy Flanagan’s artistry was marked by clarity and elegance. His piano playing featured a delicate, lyrical touch and a remarkable knack for crafting nuanced phrases. Each of his improvisations unfolded with a natural, narrative flow, as he expertly walked the line between a tune’s structure and the freedom of creative expression. As an accompanist, Flanagan excelled and was attentive to his fellow musicians, always enhancing their sound. His understated comping offered a gentle harmonic support, letting soloists shine. When stepping forward with his own solos, his playing sparkled with wit, grace, and a distinctive sense of swing. Despite facing health challenges later in life, he continued to perform and record right up until his death at age seventy-one on November 16, 2001.
If you’re a fan of a piano jazz trio or live jazz recordings, I can’t recommend this album enough on your next record shopping trip. Montreux ‘77 by the Tommy Flanagan 3 allows listeners to take a delightful trip to the Montreux Jazz Festival without the need for luggage, a passport, or boarding a flight. Just set the record on your turntable, settle into your favorite chair with a preferred drink in hand, and immerse yourself in the moment!
Postscript: Montreux ‘77 by Tommy Flanagan 3 also appears in the eight-record box set, Norman Granz Presents The Montreux ’77 Collection.
~ Norman Granz Presents The Montreux ’77 Collection (Pablo Live 2620-107) – Source: Discogs.com
~ Easy Living – Source: JazzStandards.com
© 2025 by Edward Thomas Carter
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Bill Carrothers was born July 13, 1964 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He began playing piano at age five, studying with his church organist before learning jazz from pianist Bobby Peterson. By age 15 he was performing in jazz clubs, and in 1982 he briefly attended North Texas State University.
After a year at North Texas, Carrothers was a member of Irv Williams’ band before a move to New York City in 1988. He performed at the Knitting Factory, The Village Gate, and Birdland as well as Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. He has worked with Buddy DeFranco, Curtis Fuller, Billy Higgins, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Konitz, James Moody, Gary Peacock, Dewey Redman, Charlie Rouse, James Spaulding, Terell Stafford, Toots Thielemans, and Prince.
He has performed in France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In 2009 Bill played a week-long stand at the Village Vanguard with his European trio Nicolas Thys and Dre Pallemaerts, which resulted in a 2011.
He performs solo piano concerts, made his Monterey Jazz Festival debut and is a regular on the Chicago scene. He is an adjunct professor at Lawrence University in Wisconsin. Carrothers was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for Jazz in 2004 and was nominated for the Les Victoires du Jazz, twice.
Pianist and composer Bill Carrothers, who has cited Clifford Brown, Shirley Horn, and Oscar Peterson as influences on his development as a musician, continues to perform without shoes to better feel the piano pedals, sitting in a chair to achieve his preferred seating height.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Toni Ballard was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 12, 1946 and sang in the school choir during her primary years. She learned to play the guitar in college, then formed a band with her husband.
From 1981 to 1984 Ballard hosted Tasteful Blend on WICN Radio and recorded a children’s jazz album the following year. During the Nineties she collaborated with Larry Coryell and recorded I’m Your Pal, and produced and hosted CAble Ace nominated Studio 3 Jazz for seven years.
As the publicist for Berklee School of Music from 1998 to 2004 she was responsible for forming the relationship between the school and Black Entertainment Television, and worked on Jazz Scenes and Impressions.
Toni has performed with the Silvefr Bullet Orchestra, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, the Boston Big Band, the White Heat Swing Orchestra, Ryles Jaz Orchestra, Worcester Jazz Orchestra, and the Benny Goodman Tribute Band.
Vocalist Toni Ballard is currently a freelance publicist and is involved with benefit concerts for Pancreatic Cancer Alliance.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Akua Allrich was born on July 11th in Washington, D.C., the child of a musical family with a home that held such a wealth of jazz recordings that she did not buy any albums until her second year in college. One of the first jazz albums she bought was John Coltrane’s Live at the Village Vanguard: The Master Takes.
Educated at Howard University, she obtained her BM in jazz vocals and a master’s degree in social work. She was taught, coached and mentored by talented musicians such as world-renowned singer Kehembe V. Eichelberger, singer/drummer Grady Tate, and pianist Charles Covington.
Her musical roots run deeply into blues, soul and rhythm and blues, with a clear grounding in jazz and pan-African music. She launched her independently produced album A Peace of Mine in 2010, which created a significant buzz with critics and music-lovers alike. She sings in many languages including Portuguese, French, Spanish, English, Xhosa, and Twi.
Vocalist, composer and teacher, Akua Allrich continues to electrify audiences and is likened to such legendary artists as Oscar Brown, Jr., Miriam Makeba and Nina Simone.
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is leaving the Big Apple enroute to that Midwest state with the city that boasts the 630 foot Gateway Arch. Yes, people it’s St. Louis, Missouri. I love this city, even though that arch celebrates Lewis and Clark, history left out.
No longer hidden from the story, the arch now celebrates York, Clark’s enslaved servant, whose skills as a hunter, his ability to navigate and negotiate with Native American tribes, and his physical strength in tasks like hauling boats and building shelters, were all vital to their success.
Inside the city limits is a well known venue located in the Arts District named for its city, Jazz St. Louis. Two rooms feature a 220 seat and a more intimate 75 seats. It all started as Jazz at the Bistro in 1995 before becoming its current version.
On tap is a drummer I’ve yet to experience. Fortunately I have a ticket to this sold out date. Kaleb Kirby is bringing a quartet to play tribute to guitarist John Scofield. The ensemble will reimagine Scofield’s work showcasing the expressive range and rhythmic ingenuity that define the guitarist’s voice.
The Band:
Kaleb Kirby | drums
Greg Dallas | guitar
Chris Thomas | bass
Austin Cebulski | tenor saxophone
Jazz St. Louis is located at 3536 Washington Avenue, 63103. For more information contact the venue at jazzstl.org.
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