Perhaps no other living jazz pianist has as impressive a resume as McCoy Tyner. This is a man who began his professional career in the Benny Golson/Art Farmer Jazztet in 1960 and then almost immediately joined the John Coltrane Quartet to become one of four musicians (with Coltrane, Elvin Jones and Jimmy Garrison) who collectively changed the face and the course of jazz in the early to mid-'60s. Since then, Tyner has led his own groups, and continues to record and tour with all the vigor of his youth.
In this solo piano performance and interview with KPLU/Jazz24 music director Nick Francis, Tyner reminisces a bit about his time in the Coltrane quartet and performs his version of Coltrane's "Naima." He also gives us his treatments of "Suddenly" (one of his own compositions) and the jazz standard "Like Someone in Love." Along the way, he also talks about growing up in the rich Philadelphia music scene, as well as his long association in the 1970s with jazz producer Orrin Keepnews.
Recorded Sept. 18, 2009.
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