Tommy Flanagan

Infobox musical artist
Name = Tommy Flanagan


Img_capt = Jazz pianist Tommy Flanagan at the Village Jazz Lounge in Walt Disney World
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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Thomas Lee Flanagan
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Born = 16 March, 1930
Died = 16 November, 2001
Origin = Detroit, Michigan, USA
Instrument = Piano
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Genre = Bop
Hard bop
Mainstream jazz
Occupation = Pianist
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Associated_acts = Ella Fitzgerald
John Coltrane
Kenny Dorham Quartet
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Thomas Lee Flanagan (16 March, 1930–16 November, 2001) was an American jazz pianist born in Detroit, Michigan, particularly remembered as an accompanist of Ella Fitzgerald. He played on a number of critically acclaimed recordings, such as John Coltrane's "Giant Steps", Sonny Rollins' "Saxophone Colossus" , "The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery", and Art Pepper's "Straight Life".

The Tommy Flanagan Trio (with bassist Wilbur Little and drummer Elvin Jones) released their first album, "Tommy Flanagan Trio Overseas", in 1957. As an accompanist, Flanagan worked with Ella Fitzgerald from 1963–65 and 1968–78. But beginning in 1975, Flanagan began once again to perform and record as a leader. He continued to work with other players, however, forming a trio with Tal Farlow and Red Mitchell, among other projects.

Flanagan's style was both modest and exceptionally musical. He embodied many of the most important qualities associated with jazz: swing, harmonic sophistication, melodic invention, bluesy feel and humour. Interestingly, he appeared on a number of highly innovative albums. (His awkward solo on the extremely fast and harmonically complex title-track of "Giant Steps" is a rare [if famous] instance on record of the usually unflappable pianist being caught off-guard.)

During his career, Flanagan was nominated for four Grammy Awards — two for Best Jazz Performance (Group) and two for Best Jazz Performance (Soloist). He died on November 16, 2001, of an arterial aneurysm.

elect Discography

As a leader

* "Overseas" (1957; Prestige Records)
* "The Tokyo Recital" (1975; Pablo Records)
* "Trinity" (1975; Inner City Records)
* "Eclypso" (1977; Enja Records)
* "Plays the Music of Harold Arlen" (1978; Inner City Records)
* "Ballads and Blues" (1978; Enja Records)
* "Super Session" (1980; Enja Records)
* "The Magnificent" (1981; Progressive Records)
* "Thelonica" (1982; Enja Records)
* "Jazz Poet" (1989; Timeless Records)
* "Beyond the Bluebird" (1990; Timeless Records)
* "Flanagan's Shenanigans" (1993; Storyville Records)
* "Let's" (1993; Enja Records)
* "Lady Be Good for Ella" (1993; Groovin' High Records)
* "Sunset and the Mockingbird" (1997; Blue Note Records)
* "Sea Changes" (1997; Evidence Records)

As a sideman

* "Detroit-New York Junction" by Thad Jones (1956; Blue Note Records)
* "Introducing Kenny Burrell" by Kenny Burrell (1956; Blue Note Records)
* "Collector's Items" by Miles Davis (1956; Prestige Records)
* "The Magnificent Thad Jones" by Thad Jones (1956; Blue Note Records)
* "Saxophone Colossus" by Sonny Rollins (1956; Prestige Records)
* "Motor City Scene" by Thad Jones (1959; United Artists Records)
* "The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery" by Wes Montgomery (1960; Riverside Records)
* "Swingin' With Pee Wee" by Pee Wee Russell (1960; Prestige Records)
* "Giant Steps" by John Coltrane (1960; Atlantic Records)
* "Night Hawk" by Coleman Hawkins (1960; Prestige Records)
* "Desafinado" by Coleman Hawkins (1962; Prestige Records)
* "Opening Remarks" by Ted Dunbar (1978; Xanadu Records)
* "Straight Life" by Art Pepper (1979; Galaxy Records)
* "Chromatic Palette" by Tal Farlow (1981; Concord Records)
* "A Little Pleasure" duet with J.R. Monterose (1981; Reservoir)

Trivia

Eric Jackson, host of WGBH-Boston's nightly jazz program "Jazz with Eric in the Evening" uses "Peace", a cut from Flanagan's "Something Borrowed, Something Blue," as the introduction to his show every night. In the current schedule, it plays from approximately 8:00 to 8:07 p.m. [http://www.wgbh.org/schedules/episode-list?program_id=30367&view_previous=1] , [http://www.bu.edu/alumni/bostonia/2002/spring/wgbh/index.html]

Tommy Flanagan is mentioned by Japanese Author Haruki Murakami in the short story, Chance Encounter, he describes his experiences at a Tommy Flanagan performance.

External links

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hifpxqt5ldae Tommy Flanagan biography] on Allmusic
* [http://www.hopper-management.com/tf_bio_e.htm Tommy Flanagan biography] at BH Hopper Management
* [http://www.jazzdisco.org/flanagan/ Tommy Flanagan entry] at the Jazz Discography Project
* [http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=6729 Tommy Flanagan biography] at All About Jazz