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This week Kate Molleson explores the life and work of a jazz giant in his centenary year: the amazing Bud Powell, in the company of Powell’s biographer Peter Pullman. Focusing on Bud Powell as a performer, prioritising his own compositions but also appreciating the art of improvisation as spontaneous composition.

Bud Powell was born in 1924 and grew up in Harlem, against the backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance. He was a gifted pianist from a young age and became a pioneer of bebop. But he was a troubled soul and the great paradox of Bud Powell is how there could be such joy and expression in his music while his life was so painful.

Today Kate Molleson and Peter Pullman look at Powell’s early years in the creative crucible of Harlem 1920s and 30s, his first recordings with the Cootie Williams band and a violent arrest in 1945 that would have long-lasting consequences.

Peter Pullman's deeply researched biography of Bud Powell is called Wail: the Life of Bud Powell.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Sounds to play Composer of the Week."

Music featured:
Bouncing with Bud (from The Amazing Bud Powell)
Oblivion (from The Genius of Bud Powell)
Strictly Confidential (from Jazz Giant)
Floogie Boo (from Cootie Williams and his Orchestra 1941-1944)
Do Some War Work, Baby (from Cootie Williams and his Orchestra 1941-1944)
Off Minor (from Bud Powell Trio)
Dexter Rides Again (from Dexter Rides Again)
Mad Bebop (from JJ Johnson’s Jazz Quintet)
Buzzy (from Charlie Parker, the Complete Savoy and Dial Master Takes)
Bud’s Bubble (from Bud Powell Trio)
I Should Care (from Bud Powell Trio)
Tempus Fugit (from Jazz Giant)
Celia (from Jazz Giant)