Search - Roger Kellaway :: Roger Kellaway Trio

Who's Roger Kellaway?

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 02/14/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"That's what I asked myself when I saw this in the bin at Newbury Comics for $3.99. Then I saw that this May 1965 session was on the reputable Prestige label, recorded by Rudy Van Gelder at his Englewood Cliffs studio, and that Dave Bailey -- a name I did know -- was the drummer (though I didn't know the bass player, Russell George -- I know George Russell but not Russell George!). I figured with those things going for it, and the low price tag, what the heck, let's try it. And overall this disc is perfectly enjoyable, if not earth-shattering. Kellaway certainly has a unique compositional style, more quirky than avant-garde -- check out the eccentric "Brats" for the most extreme example. Having searched Kellaway's name on Amazon, I have discovered he has made a nice 40 year plus career for himself in jazz, and this album seems to be where it all started. So if you find yourself at a Newbury in the Boston area, go ahead and take a chance on Mr. Kellaway."