Richard Wyands is a fine pianist whose lightly swinging style is a little reminiscent of Red Garland. He came to national prominence accompanying Ella Fitzgerald and Carmen McRae. From 1958 he played with Roy Haynes, Charles Mingus, Gigi Gryce's quintet, Oliver Nelson, Etta Jones, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, and Gene Ammons, among others. Wyands was associated with Kenny Burrell, with whom he toured extensively during 1964-77, and has played with many other top musicians, including Freddie Hubbard, Zoot Sims, Frank Foster, the Illinois Jacquet Big Band, Benny Carter, Ernie Andrews, and Milt Hinton, among others. After making a number of records for HighNote accompanying Etta Jones, Ernie Andrews and others, Richard makes his debut on Savant as a leader of a deliciously-swinging trio with the assistance of Ray Drummond on bass and Grady Tate on drums. An imaginative program consisting of Standards, ("Stairway to the Stars"), and jazz classics ("Drop Me Off in Harlem" and "Stolen Sweets") makes this a self-recommending release. Hear for yourself why the biggest names in the jazz name Richard Wyands as their pianist of choice.

Richard Wyands - piano & leader; Ray Drummond - bass; Grady Tate - drums

Tracks: Stolen Sweets; As Long As There's Music; Stairway to the Stars; Focus; Ivy; What's New; Drop Me Off in Harlem; My Old Flame; With the Wind and the Rain In Your Hair; West 94th Street Funk

Stolen Sweets

As Long As There's Music

Stairway to the Stars