Organist
Melvin Rhyne's greatest fame is his participation on four
Wes Montgomery Riverside sessions (including
Montgomery's first and last album for the label). Fortunately,
Rhyne survived long enough, after some lean years, to return to the major-league
jazz scene and record some CDs of his own. Born in Indianapolis,
Rhyne (a largely self-taught pianist) was an important part of the city's
jazz scene. He played with the then-unknown
Roland Kirk during 1955-1956, and soon switched to organ. He also had opportunities to back a series of
blues (including
T-Bone Walker and
B.B. King) and
r&b artists.
Rhyne was part of
Montgomery's group for most of 1959-1964. In 1969, he moved to Madison, WI, and four years later he relocated to Milwaukee, where he remained active if obscure for the next two decades. In 1990, he emerged, recording with
Herb Ellis and
Brian Lynch.
Mel Rhyne went on to record two excellent sets for Criss Cross, including a quartet session that has
Joshua Redman as his sideman, and has shown that he is an excellent soul-jazz and
hard bop soloist in his own right. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Green links represent an available CD.
Red links represent a CD that is not currently available.
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