Wynton Kelly
Piano
About
Wynton Kelly was one of the 20th century's best loved jazz pianists. He was a sought after sideman and appears on over 120 recordings with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Dinah Washington, Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane and, perhaps most notably, Miles Davis. Kelly played in Davis' band from 1959 to 1963. After leaving Davis, he formed his own trio with Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb. The three musicians recorded together until Kelly's unexpected death at the age of 39.
Trivia
Wynton Kelly's first professional recording was on Hal Singer's 1948 Billboard hit, "Cornbread." He was drafted into the army in 1952 and served as the musical director of the Third Army Traveling Show. He earned his place in Miles Davis' band when the regular pianist showed up late to a gig and Kelly was asked to sit in.
Early Life
Wynton Kelly was born in New York to Jamaican parents in 1931. He began playing the piano at age 4 but had little formal training. At age 12 he began playing with several R&B bands and working as an organist for local churches. Kelly toured the Caribbean with Ray Abrams' R&B band at age 15 and made his first professional recording at age 16. After joining Dinah Washington's band in 1951 Kelly began to become well known and was soon playing with Lester Young and Dizzy Gillespie.
Wynton Kelly Solos
1961
Piano solo - Someday My Prince Will Come - 1961
3/4 waltz in B♭ major at 149 BPM
Piano solo - Old Folks - 1961
4/4 ballad in F major at 53 BPM
Piano solo - Pfrancing (No Blues) - 1961
4/4 swing in F major at 146 BPM
Piano solo - Pfrancing (No Blues) - 1961
4/4 swing in F major at 137 BPM
Piano solo - Pfrancing (No Blues) - 1961
4/4 swing in F major at 135 BPM
Piano solo - Drad-Dog - 1961
4/4 ballad in D minor at 50 BPM
Piano solo - Drad-Dog - 1961
4/4 ballad in D minor at 50 BPM
Piano solo - Someday My Prince Will Come - 1961
3/4 waltz in B♭ major at 153 BPM
1960
Piano solo - Remember - 1960
4/4 swing in A♭ major at 168 BPM
Piano solo - This I Dig of You - 1960
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 244 BPM
Piano solo - Dig Dis - 1960
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 146 BPM
Piano solo - Split Feelin's - 1960
4/4 swing in F major at 231 BPM
Piano solo - Soul Station - 1960
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 101 BPM
Piano solo - If I Should Lose You - 1960
4/4 swing in F major at 188 BPM
1959
Piano solo - Freddie Freeloader - 1959
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 129 BPM
Piano solo - Naima - 1959
4/4 ballad in A♭ major at 57 BPM
Piano solo - Little Old Lady - 1959
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 189 BPM
Piano solo - My Shining Hour - 1959
4/4 swing in C major at 226 BPM
Piano solo - Fifth House - 1959
4/4 swing in C major at 216 BPM
Piano solo - Harmonique - 1959
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 129 BPM
Piano solo - Like Sonny - 1959
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 147 BPM
Piano solo - Some Other Blues - 1959
4/4 swing in F major at 193 BPM
Piano solo - Like Sonny - 1959
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 152 BPM
Piano solo - Like Sonny - 1959
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 137 BPM
1957
Piano solo - Ball Bearing - 1957
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 214 BPM
Piano solo - All The Things You Are - 1957
4/4 swing in A♭ major at 199 BPM
Piano solo - Smoke Stack - 1957
4/4 swing in F major at 222 BPM
Piano solo - Smoke Stack - 1957
4/4 swing in F major at 247 BPM
Piano solo - Smoke Stack - 1957
4/4 swing in F major at 220 BPM
Piano solo - Smoke Stack - 1957
4/4 swing in F major at 229 BPM
1956
Piano solo - Mil Dew - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 318 BPM
Piano solo - Chicago Calling - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 145 BPM
Piano solo - These Foolish Things - 1956
4/4 ballad in E♭ major at 54 BPM
Piano solo - The Boy Next Door - 1956
4/4 swing in F major at 138 BPM
Piano solo - Nice And Easy - 1956
4/4 swing in F major at 125 BPM
Piano solo - It's All Right With Me - 1956
4/4 swing in D minor at 347 BPM
Piano solo - Lover Man - 1956
4/4 ballad in D minor at 48 BPM
Piano solo - The Way You Look Tonight - 1956
4/4 swing in F major at 340 BPM
Piano solo - Cherokee - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 313 BPM