Jaki Byard - Blues for Smoke

Jaki Byard was a visionary multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, teacher, and pianist. His early experiences with classical music fused seamlessly with a deep passion for jazz, shaping his unique style. While he mastered numerous instruments including trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and drums the piano became his main voice.

By the early 1960s, he had established himself as a dynamic and forward-thinking player, joining Charles Minguss ensemble and contributing to seminal works like Mingus, Mingus, Mingus,The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady and the iconic Live at Monterey. Byard recorded a string of albums for Prestige in 1960's and went on to perform with luminaries like Art Blakey and Elvin Jones.

Despite his remarkable body of work, Byard remains somewhat underrated. Which can also be said for the recording here, Blues For Smoke, his debut album. A solo effort originally recorded for Candid in 1960, this semi-lost classic would not be officially released until 1971. The sessions capture the boundless creativity and technical brilliance of one of jazz's most versatile pianists. It's a fascinating snapshot of Byard's deep connection to the full spectrum of jazz styles. Highlights include "The Hollis Stomp, " a tribute to his Queens roots, the reflective "Diane's Melody, " and the energetic "One Two Five, " where Byard effortlessly weaves bebop, ragtime, and modern dissonance into a compact masterpiece.