The passing of André Previn earlier today brought back a flood of memories to me, as it surely must have done to so many others.
On a personal level, his two trio versions of the songs from My Fair Lady - one with Shelly Manne as leader and one under his own name - remain two of the greatest jazz piano albums ever.
His period as guest soloist/conductor for a couple of years with the Northern Sinfonia in the early 1970s held a special place in my mother's heart - she loved orchestral baton wavers. Barbirolli, Beecham, Sargent and Previn were her equivalents of Elvis and The Beatles! The fact that André could do more than wave the baton but also knock out a piano concerto better than most allowed her to turn a blind eye to the fact that he could do the same on a jazz tune.
Then, of course, there was the famous Morecambe and Wise sketch on tv still quoted by many.
That fantastic number rarely heard now - Like Young.
Sadly missed - a genius who made his mark as jazz pianist, classical pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, Oscar winner, you name it.
RIP André Previn - you were special...
Lance.
Obituary.
Obituary.
3 comments :
Sad to hear this Lance. He was a remarkable musician. My first two jazz albums were Peterson's 'Night Train' and then Previn's 'My Fair Lady'. Not a bad introduction to jazz. Both absolute classics.
Roly
My favorite piano LP is still Andre Previn Plays! Bought in New York in the fifties it has the best rendition of Aint Misbehavin ever, taking off Fats Waller. On the sleeve, I read that while still in his teens he was conducting and playing for some of the outstanding Hollywood films! RIP!
Now I must get hold of "No Minor Chords" by André as recommended by you, Lance.
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