Pianist was 44 years old when he recorded his first album and died four years later shortly after completing this LP (which has not yet been reissued on CD). Although he never became famous, had developed a versatile style of his own. He was able to play bop and sensitive ballads as shown on the four standards that are included on this set, but it is the 14 1/2 minute rendition of his that features him at his most advanced. The music continually holds one's interest, making this an album worth searching for despite 's unfortunate obscurity. ~ Scott Yanow