Pianist
Teddy Wilson began putting out records under his own name in 1934 and soon became internationally famous through his collaborations with
Benny Goodman,
Billie Holiday, and
Lester Young. Storyville's 2007 release of a live trio date in Copenhagen Denmark demonstrates
Wilson's enduring artistic integrity later in life. On May 21, 1979 -- which would have been
Fats Waller's 75th birthday -- 66-year-old
Wilson performed with bassist
Hugo Rasmussen and drummer
Ed Thigpen, opening the set with a series of themes composed or made famous by
Waller (tracks one through three). After a spirited six-minute romp through the landscape of
W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues,"
Wilson concentrated upon melodies by
Duke Ellington and
Billy Strayhorn for about a quarter of an hour and polished off eight more jazz standards before calling it quits. This is an example of
Teddy Wilson on an exceptionally good night, and is highly recommended for listeners of every persuasion. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music Guide
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