Kenny Burrell - A Night At The Vanguard

Burrell: shooting fish in the Vanguard

One of the great bop jazz guitarists of the 50s and a favourite of Duke Ellington, Burrell’s A Night At The Vanguard was originally issued on Chess in 1959. A live release, the album features bassist Richard Davis and drummer Roy Haynes. Burrell, however, is certainly the centre of attention as he roams through Thelonious Monk’s Well, You Needn’t and Errol Garner’s Trio. Despite this album not being one of his very best, the production is appealingly bare, which allows you to almost move in between the instruments and savour the stripped atmosphere.

Sundazed | PS-655

Reviewed by Paul Rigby
<< Back to Issue 350