I had never really listened to Benny Green until I came across some old Art Blakey Jazz Messenger’s recordings and focused my ears past the drums. It has been said that that “those who can’t do teach” … well, Benny Green teaches but is equally gifted as a performer, evidenced by the videos below. Topmost, Tempus Fugit is an uptempo Bud Powell composition, recorded at New York’s Lincoln Center, that features a trio of Green at the piano, David Wong on bass and Aaron Kimmel playing drums. Lower left is Me And My Baby. Lower right something called Cupcake. Both offer the trio of Benny playing piano, Ben Wolfe on bass and Carl Allen on drums.
This is Me And My Baby, a comfortably toe-tapping tune that takes Benny Green’s trio out of the concert hall and into a more relaxed clublike atmosphere.
Cupcake is a more laidback piece than the first two, keeping you in that same easy going setting. It’s a clever arrangement that is sure to capture your attention.
