Kenny Burrell (1931) was the premiere hard bop guitarist, although his
gentle, pensive style evolved towards a more abstract form of music.
The sound was carefully calibrated on the combination of guitar style,
line-up and original Burrell compositions:
Fugue 'N Blues on Introducing Kenny Burrell (may 1956), with pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Kenny Clarke conga player Candido;
the 17-minute All Night Long on All Night Long (december 1956), with trumpeter Donald Byrd, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, flutist Jerome Richardson, pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Art Taylor;
the 18-minute All Day Long on All Day Long (january 1957), with
Byrd, tenor saxophonist Frank Foster, Flanagan, Watkins and Taylor.
Perhaps his definitive testament was Blue Lights (may 1958), accompanied by trumpet, tenor, piano, bass (Sam Jones) and drums (Art Blakey), that contained Yes Baby and Rock Salt (with the addition of Tina Brooks on tenor) and Phinupi (without Brooks).
He also recorded Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane (march 1958) with
pianist Tommy Flanagan and three Miles Davis' sidemen, notably John Coltrane.
Later, he veered towards the atmospheric side of things with the bluesy
Midnight Blue (january 1963), featuring tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, bassist Major Holley, drummer Bill English, and Ray Barretto on conga (Midnight Blue and Saturday Night Blues),
and Guitar Forms (december 1964), arranged by Gil Evans.
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