Coleman Hawkins & Bud Powell «Hawk in Germany» [1960]

Pianist Bud Powell is heard in top form throughout this LP, playing six selections with his all-star trio (which also includes bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Kenny Clarke) and three songs on which the trio is joined by the great tenor Coleman Hawkins. There is plenty of classic bebop throughout the concert performance with Powell mostly sticking to standards (along with his original “John’s Abbey”); Hawkins is best on “Stuffy.”

Hawk and Powell were far from their peak, but somehow this recording of old friends seems to generate a spark. Pettiford would have passed within 6 mos., Powell within 3 years, which is also when Hawkins quit recording and just took to the bottle. He hung on for another 9 years. Only Klook managed to survive the ravages of fame, quietly passing at 81.

But so much for back story, the lp is classic Black Lion production. Lots of standards, with the Powell Trio taking the mostly upbeat tracks with Bean joining for the second half, mostly ballads. This release is recommended as a fine example of the playing of these classic masters.

Hook's Gem & Scott Yanow, AMG

Recorded at Essen Jazz Festival  2/4/1960 - Line-Up: Coleman Hawkins – tenor sax / Bud Powell – piano / Oscar Pettiford – bass / Kenny Clarke – drums

MP3@320 kbps package (LP-rip) is - - - > HERE