Tonight's Jazz Feature will be heard a bit later than usual as a guest was expected. The Jazz Feature will be pianist Andrew Hill's Blue Note debut album "Black Fire". Andrew Hill was somewhat unfairly lumped into the "free form Jazz" category as his music was different from the norm and innovative and Hill did emerge in the 1960;s, a time of change for Jazz. However Hill's music while different and fresh was structured and defined by chord progressions. His compositions were unique and took odd turns and twists much like Thelonious Monk's tunes. Producer Alfred Lion new Hill's music wasn't for everyone but he believed in Hill's genius and talent much like he did of Monk a decade earlier. Lion was the first to record Monk and his music. Hill on piano is supported by some great musicians such as Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone delivering some of his most creative work here. Richard Davis on bass and the great Roy Haynes on drums who was a last minute replacement for Philly Joe Jones who was unable to make the date. I can't imagine any other drummer than Roy Haynes for this music. "Black Fire" is the beginning of a long list of important recordings by Andrew Hill for Blue Note. We must thank Blue Note's Alfred Lion for believing in Andrew Hill's talent. "black Fire": tonight's Jazz Feature.

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