Jazz Advance

by Scott YanowJazz Advance is the CD reissue of Cecil Taylor's very first recording session. Although the album states that it is from September, 1956, all previous discographies state December 10, 1955 was the actual recording date. Even at this early stage, the 26-year old pianist was extremely advanced in his playing. One can hear Taylor's roots in Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk but his comping and chord voicings were already far ahead of most of his contemporaries. He takes "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" solo, has four trio numbers with bassist Buell Neidlinger and drummer Dennis Charles and, on Taylor's "Charge 'Em Blues" and "Song," soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy makes the group a quartet. This is utterly fascinating music that hints strongly at what was to come.