Walter Bishop Jr. - Bish at the Bank: Live in Baltimore (RSD 2023, 2LP Vinyl)

Bish at the Bank: Live in Baltimore is an official, previously unissued set of recordings by one of the unsung heroes of bepop jazz piano, Walter Bishop Jr., featuring a swinging trio with Harold Vick on saxophone, Lou McIntosh on bass and Dick Berk on drums. This hand-numbered (limited edition worldwide of 3000), double LP set was transferred from the original tape reels and is pressed on 180g vinyl and boasts 100 minutes of music, The gatefold sleeve includes an extensive booklet with essays by esteemed jazz journalist Ted Panken and jazz video journalist and friend of Bishop's, Bret Primack, rare photos by Don Schlitten, Raymod Ross and Jan Persson, and poetry pieces written by Bishop. The set is produced by label owner/musician Cory Weeds and "Jazz Detective" producer Zev Feldman.The double LP set consists of two shows recorded in Baltimore, Maryland, LP 1 recorded at The Madison Club on August 28, 1966 and LP 2 at The Famous Ballroom on February 26, 1967.Harlem-born Bishop began his performing and recording career as part of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers on his debut Blue Note album in 1948. His bebop style continued on with gigs and recordings with Kenny Dorham, Jimmy Heath, Milt Jackson, Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Oscar Pettiford, Wynton Kelly and many others. In the 1960s he fronted a trio with Jimmy Garrison and G.T. Hogan. He recorded for various independent labels including Jazztime, Black Jazz and Muse Records.The 8-track set cooks with two Miles Davis compositions along with standards such as “Willow Weep for Me,” Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Quiet Nights” and Henry Mancini’s “The Days of Wine and Roses."

Side A (25:10)1) My Secret Love (12:47)2) Blues (12:23)Side B (24:39)1) Days of Wine & Rose (14:55)2) Quiet Nights (10:10)Side C (25:06)1) If I Were A Bell (11:00)2) So What (13:45)Side D (24:54)1) Willow Weep For Me (11:46)2) Pfrancing (No Blues) (13:02)