Tommy Flanagan
Piano
About
Tommy Flanagan was a world renown jazz pianist and composer. Known as much for his easy friendliness as his stellar playing, Flanagan was a first call pianist for jazz's biggest stars. After playing with greats such as John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, Flanagan went on to become Ella Fitzgerald's accompanist and music director for many years. Later he formed his own trio producing a string of critically acclaimed recordings.
Trivia
Flanagan's first instrument was a clarinet, which he received as a Christmas present when he was 6 years old.During his career Flanagan was nominated for 5 Grammy Awards.According to critic Leonard Feather, Flanagan is the pianist most likely to be named by other jazz pianists as a personal idol.
Early Life
Tommy Flanagan was born in Detroit in 1930, the youngest of six children. He began playing piano as a child and started playing gigs while still a teenager. He became the pianist in residence at Detroit's famed Blue Bird Inn in 1949. After a short stint in the Army Flanagan moved to New York in 1956 with his good friend Kenny Burrell and quickly found work in clubs and studios.
Tommy Flanagan Solos
1960
Piano solo - Airegin - 1960
4/4 swing in F minor at 297 BPM
Piano solo - D-Natural Blues - 1960
4/4 swing in D major at 92 BPM
Piano solo - Polka Dots and Moonbeams - 1960
4/4 ballad in G major at 46 BPM
Piano solo - Four on Six - 1960
4/4 swing in G minor at 208 BPM
Piano solo - West Coast Blues - 1960
6/4 waltz in B♭ major at 153 BPM
Piano solo - Mr. Walker (Renie) - 1960
4/4 straight in F minor at 134 BPM
1959
Piano solo - Giant Steps - 1959
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 304 BPM
Piano solo - Cousin Mary - 1959
4/4 swing in A♭ major at 226 BPM
Piano solo - Spiral - 1959
4/4 swing in B minor at 186 BPM
Piano solo - Syeeda's Song Flute - 1959
4/4 swing in G major at 188 BPM
Piano solo - Mr. P.C. - 1959
4/4 swing in C minor at 263 BPM
1958
Piano solo - Freight Trane - 1958
4/4 swing in A♭ major at 234 BPM
Piano solo - I Never Knew - 1958
4/4 swing in A♭ major at 212 BPM
Piano solo - Lyresto - 1958
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 215 BPM
Piano solo - Big Paul - 1958
4/4 swing in C major at 142 BPM
1957
Piano solo - Minor Run-Down - 1957
4/4 swing in C minor at 198 BPM
Piano solo - The Hand of Love - 1957
4/4 swing in G major at 191 BPM
Piano solo - Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise - 1957
4/4 swing in C minor at 169 BPM
Piano solo - Four Strings - 1957
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 215 BPM
Piano solo - What's New - 1957
4/4 swing in C major at 148 BPM
Piano solo - Beauteous - 1957
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 176 BPM
Piano solo - Four Strings - 1957
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 220 BPM
1956
Piano solo - St. Thomas - 1956
4/4 latin in C major at 225 BPM
Piano solo - You Don't Know What Love Is - 1956
4/4 ballad in E♭ minor at 72 BPM
Piano solo - Strode Rode - 1956
4/4 swing in F minor at 262 BPM
Piano solo - Mac The Knife - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 165 BPM
Piano solo - Blue 7 - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 133 BPM