Wynton Kelly Albums (25)
'Wynton Kelly, Vol. 1'
Release Date 6/22/2006
Tracks 9
Label JVC Japan
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Final Notes'
Release Date 8/20/2002
Tracks 6
Label Japanese Victor Co.
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Interpretations'
Release Date 8/20/2002
Tracks 5
Label Japanese Victor Co.
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Wynton Kelly, Vol. 2'
Release Date 8/20/2002
Tracks 16
Label Japanese Victor Co.
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This 1968 club date features Wynton Kelly with his regular working group, including tenor saxophonist George Coleman, bassist Ron McClure, and drummer Jimmy Cobb, though the music wasn't issued for the first time by Vee Jay until 1977, six years after Kelly's death. The source material for this live set sounds as if it is a 1950s air check, though it was recorded by the Left Bank Jazz Society; problems include a piano of questionable tuning, a fair amount of distortion in the rhythm section, probably from deterioration of the source tape, though Coleman's instrument comes through fairly clear. What is unusual about this release is that it consists of two long numbers, including a powerful take of "On the Trail" (from Grofé's "Grand Canyon Suite") and a rapid-fire "On a Clear Day," which bracket two rather brief piano interludes by the leader. Since Wynton Kelly made relatively few live recordings as a leader, hard bop fans will want to pick up this enjoyable, if sometimes sonically frustrating, CD. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Someday My Prince Will Come'
Release Date 10/17/2000
Tracks 10
Label Collectables
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What The Critics Say
Pianist Wynton Kelly is heard on this CD reissue (the ten songs from the original LP plus five "new" alternate takes) with either bassist Sam Jones and drummer Jimmy Cobb or bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones. His light touch and perfect taste are very much present along with a steady stream of purposeful single-note lines that are full of surprising twists. Trumpeter Lee Morgan and tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter drop by for one song (the blues "Wrinkles"), but otherwise this recommended set (a definitive Wynton Kelly release) showcases magical trio performances. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Live is a reasonably enjoyable live set capturing a collaboration between Wynton Kelly and Cecil Payne. Although there's nothing particularly noteworthy on this set of straightahead hard-bop, and the sound is a little rough, much of it's enjoyable and it captures Payne in good form. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Full View'
Release Date 11/5/1996
Tracks 9
Label Original Jazz Classics
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What The Critics Say
Pianist Wynton Kelly's next-to-last set as a leader (he would record a slightly later date for Delmark) featured him at a time when his influence was waning and he was overshadowed by more advanced players. However, Kelly's impact would begin to grow again after his death, when the Young Lions movement began in the early '80s; certainly pianist Benny Green was greatly touched by Kelly's conception. This Milestone trio set, reissued on CD, matches Kelly with bassist Ron McClure and drummer Jimmy Cobb on a fine program mostly filled with standards but also including the then-recent Burt Bacharach hit "Walk on By" and Kelly's original "Scufflin'." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Pianist Wynton Kelly is heard on these formerly private tapes from the Half Note (where his trio usually accompanied Wes Montgomery) jamming with bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb. Released for the initial time as a 1983 Xanadu LP, the recording quality is only so-so, but Kelly's consistently creative ideas on three standards, plus "Blues On Purpose," "Somebody's Blues" and "Another Blues," are enjoyable and swinging. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
