Search - Ray Bryant :: Somewhere in France

When people talk about today's great pianists, Ray Bryant's name must be included. This Philadelphia-born musician, the uncle of guitarist Kevin Eubanks, has played with everyone from Charlie Parker and Miles Davis to Carmen McRae. He plays with a deep, blues-based sensibility complemented by an uncanny melodic mind. Those attributes are in full effect on this newly unearthed 1993 concert from France. Bryant's powerful left hand pounds out rolling boogie woogie-like basslines on "In the Back Room," Billy Strayhorn's "Take the A Train," and John Lewis's "Django." His take on W.C. Handy's chestnut, "St. Louis Blues," recalls distant echoes of the early stride and gospel pianists, and the frisky melody of "Jungletown Jubilee" reincarnates the keyboard with the ghost of Art Tatum's swinging supernatural signature. It's all good, and it's all Ray Bryant. --Eugene Holley Jr.