Clare Fischer - Surging Ahead (Japanese Edition) (1963/2021)

Early trio work from pianist Clare Fischer – definitely surging ahead at this point in his career! The set's got a bit more of a freewheeling sound than some of Fischer's later, more arranged material – lots of tight piano from Clare in the lead, swung with a good blend of soul jazz energy mixed with Latin and Brazilian influences – with support from a few different rhythm teams, players who include Gary Peacock, Ralph Pena, and Albert Stinson on bass – and Gene Stone, Larry Bunker, and Colin Bailey on drums! Some of the tracks are a bit longer than you'd expect for such a record – taking things nicely past conventional trio expectations – and titles include "Billie's Bounce", "Way Down East", "Davenport Blues", "Strayhorn", "This Can't Be Love", and "Without A Song".

Clare Fischer - piano
Albert Stinson (#1-4), Ralph Pena (#5-7), Gary Peacock (#8) - bass
Colin Bailey (#1-4), Larry Bunker (#5-7), Gene Stone (#8) - drums
Recorded at Pacific Jazz Studios, Hollywood, CA on March 13, 1963 (#1-4); February 6, 1963 (#5-7); April, 1962 (#8).

Tracklist
01. Billie's Bounce (Parker) - 6:16
02. Way Down East (Adler) - 2:34
03. Satin Doll (Ellington) - 7:18
04. This Can't Be Love (Rodgers-Hart) - 4:01
05. Strayhorn (Fischer) - 5:36
06. Things Ain't What They Used to Be (Ellington-Mercer) - 4:27
07. Davenport Blues (Beiderbecke) - 5:07
08. Without a Song (Youmans-Rose-Eliscu) - 5:04