Bud Powell

Play Radio

1,281,787 plays (160,121 listeners)

Shop now at Amazon | Send Bud Powell Ringtones to Cell
Buy
Add to my Library
Earl Rudolph “Bud” Powell (September 27, 1924 – July 31, 1966) was one of the most influential pianists in the history of . Along with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie he was instrumental in the development of , and his virtuosity as a pianist led many to call him “the Charlie Parker of the ”.

Powell was perhaps the first pianist to vocalize on the piano, meaning that he transfered his vocalized improvisations directly through his hands to the instrument. This gave his music a deep connection to time, which is an artifact of the human voice. Previously, horn players were more likely to express their improvisations vocally, as the mouth and breath are directly tied to the performance of horn players.

Powell suffered from Bi-Polar Disorder, and in November 1947, Powell was admitted to Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, where he stayed for more than a year, receiving electroconvulsive therapy which caused severe memory loss. The young Jackie Mclean and Sonny Rollins became friendly with Powell on his release from the hospital, and Powell recommended McLean to Miles Davis. However, Powell suffered from mental illness throughout his life, and had a reputation for his strange behaviour. In fact his problems, exacerbated by a beating from the police in 1945 for being disorderly, could all be attributed to being a manic depressive, although his illness was almost certainly a key driver of his immense creative talent.

Popular tags: , , , ,  See more

Share this artist:

Top Albums

  • The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 2
    Bud Powell Play
    Buy

    New

  • The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 3
    Bud Powell Play
    Buy

    New

  • Celia
    Bud Powell Play
    Buy
  • The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume One
    Bud Powell Play
    Buy
See more

Top Tracks

1
227
2
163
3
132
4
129
5
119
6
115
7
113
8
100
9
92
10
86
11
84
12  
67
13
65
14
61
15
48
Buy all tracks at Amazon MP3
See more

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).
  • Cicutacurare

    Increíble!!

    last month
  • Druid66

    A wizard on the keys.

    July 2011
  • grahamr93

    the greatest

    May 2011
  • iDearBach

    moaning, damn. better than sex

    April 2011
  • progtrance7

    someone

    April 2011
  • robotbot

    impossible is nothing. he proved it

    March 2011
  • Theeboon

    Impossible.

    March 2011
  • YeolEumSon

    he plays the piano like a saxophone great!!!! Thats Music! in all senses!

    December 2010
See all 36 shouts

Videos

See more

Listening Now

Top Listeners

See more

More Information

Links
Labels

Email Newsletter

Universal Music Group Get exclusive tour, release & promotion updates on Bud Powell from Universal Music.