Kelly Blue (LP)

One one subject at least, the varied musicians in the forefront of the East Coast jazz scene of the fifties - Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, Dizzy Gillespie, and the like - were usually in full agreement. For them, the world's strongest and most supportive piano accompanist was, without question, Wynton Kelly. Perhaps the best of his relatively few chances in the spotlight is this date on which he is so warmly supported by such greats as Benny Golson, Nat Adderley and Paul Chambers.

"Kelly was an original stylist, who had a lyrical and economical approach and a way of insinuating the blues into everything he touched. You can feel it here in the moving "Willow Weep for Me" and the bright takes on "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise" and "On Green Dolphin Street," just getting established as standards in the jazz repertoire and getting distinctive treatments here. His light, flowing lines are well matched by Cobb's spare accents and Chambers's own melodic bass. Benny Golson on tenor, Bobby Jasper on flute, and Nat Adderley on cornet join in to make up a powerful sextet on the extended title tune and two takes of another Kelly original, "Keep It Moving." It's apparent how much Kelly's comping could add to a soloist's work." - Stuart Broomer