McCoy Tyner Live at Newport '63

Live at Newport is the fifth and first live album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner. It features performances from bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Mickey Roker, with trumpeter Clark Terry and alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano appearing on three of the five tracks.

Live at Newport Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Live at Newport was the first live recording McCoy Tyner led, and it happened to be among his most memorable dates for Impulse, but like many memorable sessions, it was the end result of equal parts planning, spontaneity, and talent. According to Willis Conover's original liner notes, Tyner was worn out from playing Montreal the night before, and he was paired with three musicians he'd never played with before (trumpeter Clark Terry, alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano, and bassist Bob Cranshaw), two of who were using borrowed instruments. Given such chaotic circumstances, it's not surprising that the quintet (also featuring drummer Mickey Roker, a former colleague of Tyner's) chose to play two standards, plus Tyner's "Monk's Blues," Dizzy Gillespie's "Woody 'n' You," and the improvised opening jam, "Newport Romp." What is a surprise is that not only does the group hold together, but they excel. They sound empathetic, as if they've played many times before, yet there are enough sparks to signal that they're still unsure of what the other will play. The results are thoroughly compelling and unpredictable, even when it's just a Tyner showcase, like "Monk's Blues." Essentially a solo showcase with support from Cranshaw and Roker, Tyner really pushes on this number, beginning it as a Monk homage and pushing it to continually inventive territory. It's the riskiest playing on the record from Tyner, but just because Live at Newport isn't as risky as his work with Coltrane during the early '60s doesn't mean it's limp or complacent. It's straight-ahead hard bop in the best possible sense -- accessible but stimulating, engaging and vibrant from beginning to end.  AllMusic

McCoy Tyner

Jazz pianist whose inventive two-handed forays, extensive modal solos, and dashing phrases made him arguably the best pianist to debut in the '60s.

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The Newport Jazz Festival is an annual American multi-day jazz music festival held every summer in Newport, Rhode Island. Elaine Lorillard established the festival in 1954, and she and husband Louis Lorillard financed it for many years. They hired George Wein to organize the first festival and bring jazz to Rhode Island.^[1][2]

McCoy Tyner Live at Newport '63

A1 Newport Romp 00:00 A2 My Funny Valentine 07:46 A3 All Of You 15:53 B1 Monk's Blues 22:23 B2 Woody'n You 29:23 Piano – McCoy Tyner Trumpet – Clark Terry (tracks: A1, A2, B2) Alto Saxophone – Charlie Mariano (tracks: A1, A2, B2) Bass – Bob Cranshaw Drums – Mickey Roker Recorded at New Port Jazz Festival, Newport, Rhode Island, July5, 1963