Ira Sullivan, Blue Stroll, 26 July 1959 – Chicago Illinois

Finding an original pianist who can front a jazz trio and not sound like myriad others is a daunting task. How many jazz pianists have a fresh voice? Well, Reggie Thomas does. His soulful, hard-swinging brand of piano immediately grabs the listener, imparting joy and a positive energy. Ballads? Yes, he also plays those flawlessly and does so in in this outing. Joining Mr. Thomas is a veteran rhythm section with Dennis Carrol on bass and George Fludas on drums. Dennis and George both support and complement Reggie’s piano artistry with excursions of their own. The result is a masterful trio creating exquisite music. The performance was captured with the finest custom (tube) and vintage microphones including a pair of legendary cardiod AKG 414 EB’s on piano, two AKG ULS’s on drums and a single AKG ULS on bass, directly to a highly modified Studer/Revox 8-track master recorder. The result is an audio and musical gem.

Where technology meets art

Ira Sullivan, Blue Stroll, 26 July 1959 – Chicago Illinois

Ira Sullivan was a trumpeter and saxophonist who played in Chicago in the 1950s with multi-instrumental skills rarely possessed by other players. Here he is captured on monophonic tape playing straight-ahead jazz with the great Johnny Griffin who improvises wonderfully along with a stellar rhythm section of Jodie Christian on piano, Victor Sproles on bass, and Wilbur Campbell on drums. Originally recorded by Richard Cunliffe for Delmark Records on a Magnecorder tape deck. So old school and so good.