CiTR

This is the last installment this month of one-offs and rare recordings by obscure but fine players and tonight's Jazz Feature is no exception. We will do this again some other month this year as there are many more. The rather mysterious figure is a fine, original and swinging pianist named Roosevelt Wardell and this recording entitled "The Revelation" is the one and only date under his name. Roosevelt entered the musical world as an R&B singer but on the side he was learning the piano and aspired to be part of the Jazz world. R&B was a way of staying in music and making a modest living. Cannonball Adderley set up the date when he heard Roosevelt in L.A. in 1960. Adderley gave Roosevelt carte blanche to select his men for the date and Roosevelt wisely asked and got Adderley's rhythm section....bass great Sam Jones and swinging drummer Louis Hayes. The Revelation is divided between well chosen standard tunes and originals by Mr. Wardell. It's too bad there wasn't any more from this fine pianist but we have to be grateful for this album which was first issued on Riverside Records as part of the "Cannonball Adderley Presents' series. It's tonight's Jazz Feature and it's a fine more than promising debut for Roosevelt Wardell. Check it out!