Artist:Ray Bryant
Song:Little Susie
Album:Meet Betty Carter And Ray Bryant/Little Susie
Ray Bryant has been one of jazz's most reliable pianists for over 50 years. I guess he's just not as flashy as others but his music is very enjoyable.. He was born Dec. 24, 1931 in Philadelphia. His older brother is bassist Tommy Bryant and he's uncle to well known jazz musicians Kevin & Robin Eubanks. Bryant started out in the 40s with Tiny Grimes and became house pianist at the Blue Note in Philadelphia backing up touring musicians. This led to sessions with Miles Davis & Sonny Rollins. His first recording with his name on the cover was the 1955 album Meet Betty Carter And Ray Bryant on Epic. He also recorded with Roy Eldridge & Coleman Hawkins at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival. He finally moved to New York in 1959 and along with continuing to play sessions, he formed his own trio. Little Susie was actually a top 20 R & B hit for Signature Records but Bryant rerecorded it for this 1959 album on Epic with Tommy Bryant on bass and either Gus Johnson or Eddie Locke on drums. Little Susie is available as a twofer with Meet Betty Carter And Ray Bryant on Collectibles. Ray Bryant last recorded in 1997 so I guess he's retired but he's always worth a listen either on solo piano or in a trio. Here's Ray Bryant performing Blues No. 6 at the 1977 Montreux Jazz Festival.
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