Jazz Giant


Jazz Giant is a studio album by jazz pianist Bud Powell, released on Norgran in 1950, featuring two sessions that Powell recorded for Norman Granz in 1949 and 1950.
The album was remastered and re-released on CD in 2001 by Verve as a Verve Master Edition. The sessions also appear on The Complete Bud Powell on Verve box set.

History

The first session, with Ray Brown and Max Roach, took place on February 23, 1949, after Powell obtained a temporary release from Creedmoor State Hospital where he was receiving psychiatric treatment, and represents his second recording date as leader. The second, with Curley Russell and Roach, is from February 1950, post-dating his first Blue Note session for The Amazing Bud Powell.

Track listing

All songs were written by Bud Powell, except where noted.
  1. "Tempus Fugue-it" – 2:29
  2. "Celia" – 3:01
  3. "Cherokee" – 3:39
  4. "I'll Keep Loving You" – 2:43
  5. "Strictly Confidential" – 3:10
  6. "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" – 3:02
  7. "So Sorry Please" – 3:18
  8. "Get Happy" – 2:55
  9. "Sometimes I'm Happy" – 3:40
  10. "Sweet Georgia Brown" – 2:51
  11. "Yesterdays" – 2:53
  12. "April in Paris" – 3:12
  13. "Body and Soul" – 3:21

    Personnel

Performance

February 23, 1949, tracks 1–6.
February 1950, tracks 7–13.
All of the tracks on Jazz Giant apart from "Cherokee" were first released in album form on two 10" LPs in 1950: Piano Solos and Piano Solos #2, the latter LP also having two tracks from a separate session not on Jazz Giant. "Cherokee" had only previously appeared as a single and on The Jazz Scene, a compilation album featuring various artists.

''Piano Solos'' 10" LP (MG 35012, MGC 102, MGC 502)

  1. "Tempus Fugue-It" – 2:29
  2. "I'll Keep Loving You" – 2:43
  3. "Celia" – 3:01
  4. "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" – 3:02
  5. "Yesterdays" – 2:53
  6. "Strictly Confidential" – 3:10
February 23, 1949, side A tracks 1–3, side B tracks 1, 3.
  • Ray Brown - bass
  • Max Roach - drums
''February 1950, side B track 2 - Powell solo.''

''Piano Solos #2'' 10" LP (MGC 507)

  1. "So Sorry Please" – 3:18
  2. "April in Paris" – 3:13
  3. "Get Happy" – 2:55
  4. "Tea For Two" – 3:49
  5. "Sweet Georgia Brown" – 2:51
  6. "Body and Soul" – 3:24
  7. "Sometimes I'm Happy" – 3:40
  8. "Hallelujah!" – 2:59
February 1950, side A tracks 1–3, side B tracks 1–3.
  • Curley Russell - bass
  • Max Roach - drums
July 1, 1950, side A track 4, side B track 4
  • Ray Brown - bass
  • Buddy Rich - drums