Eddie Thompson - In The Usa

Available for the first time on CD, is a session recorded with his trio in 1962 by Eddie Thompson, one of the UK's finest jazz pianists, plus five solo piano tracks recorded in 1975.

Blind from birth, Thompson was born in 1925. By 1947 he was part of the London jazz scene, recording and playing in the company of top London musicians including Vic Ash, Tony Crombie, Ronnie Scott, and Johnny Dankworth. Equally at home playing mainstream or bop, in 1962 he decided to try his luck in New York and there he recorded the ten tracks that make up the bulk of this album.

Returning to London in 1972 he was soon in demand, with regular BBC Jazz Club gigs, recordings for the German BASF and Doug Dobell's 77 labels, and as one of the first call accompanists for visiting American soloists. Making a return visit to the States in 1975 Thompson recorded the five solo piano tracks that complete this recording.

Eddie's strength, other than his prodigious technique, was that he knew literally hundreds of jazz standards. He also had the ability to drop into the style of his heroes Garner, Peterson, and Nat 'King' Cole. Sadly he developed emphysema, which contributed to his early death in November 1986.

Personnel: Eddie Thompson (piano), Ron Lundberg (bass), Lou Berryman (drums)