Bud Powell - The Complete Essen Jazz Festival Concert

Pianist Bud Powell is heard in top form throughout this CD, 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." This release is recommended as a fine example of the playing of these classic masters. -- Scott Yanow