Herbie Nichols Trio is essential trio jazz by the pianist who never really got the recognition he deserved.
Herbie Nichols Trio (Blue Note, 2023)
Who is this? How come I never heard of such a brilliant pianist? That was my own response to finding the mid-1950s recordings by Herbie Nichols for the first time.
Well, he might not have the spectacular technique of a Bud Powell, but he has his own very personal style and his compositions are distinctly his, with memorable themes which serves as springboards for Nichols’ and his trio’s playing.
Today, Herbie Nichols growing reputation rest with the trio recordings made for Blue Note in the mid-1950s. On Herbie Nichols Trio from 1956 the drummer is Max Roach who understands the music of Nichols just as well as that of Thelonious Monk with which he also had recorded. Nichols, like Monk, also leaves a lot of space for his rhythm section to create their own parts. Since Roach is such a musical drummer he knows how to manage the situation. Bassists Al McKibbon or Teddy Kotick stays more in the background since Nichols plays so strong with both of his hands that he more often than not creates his own bass lines.
Late recognition
Nine of the ten songs are originals by Nichols. Every composition he ever wrote sounds memorable to me, but of course his “The Lady Sings the Blues” popularized by Billie Holiday is outstanding here. It is also the case of a song that became a standard while its composer ironically stayed unknown.
Nichols died of leukemia in 1963, aged 44. Interviewed by A B Spellman shortly before his death Nichols seemed bitter about not being recognized by critics or older, more established musicians.
The situation has changed after his death with the reissues of his recordings and his music being performed by other musicians. This trio recording gives you the answer why since it has some of Nichols best performances and compositions. Hearing how original it still sounds it is a crime that it was not better received upon its initial release.
Jazz Desk 