Solo by Harry Mitchell

This is a collection of short solo songs recorded by ABC jazz in 2024. All of these songs were chosen because they were influential to me in one way or another.

Ask Me Now was picked because of my love for the album Solo Monk. Monk is a pianist who grew on me over time. As a younger musician, I couldn't truely understand the nuance in his playing and I neglected his music until I was a bit older. His music is intimidating because you can only play it a certain way; you can't really play bebop over it or approach like you would any other standard, it doesn't really work. You have to try and see where he was coming from. The songs he wrote are so well crafted. He uses familiar elements but assembles everything in a way that no one else would ever think to. I put Monk and Wayne Shorter in the same category because the only way to improvise on their music is to really understand the mechanics of the song.

The Why Judy Why arrangement was taken from my Quiet Country album. Billy Joel is another pianist that I neglected as a younger person. When I was younger, punters would often ask me to play Piano Man at gigs and that made me never want to check out his music. He writes such strong melodies with interesting harmony, you can do a lot with his songs, or nothing at all and it still sounds good.

I first heard Stairway to the Stars on Julien Wilson's beautiful album This Is Always. I also love Sarah Vaughan singing it on the Live At Mister Kelly's album.

Cedar's Waltz is the only song by me in this collection. I first recorded it in back in 2018 with Julien Wilson, Sam Anning and Daniel Susnjar. It's a song for Cedar Walton. I don't really think it sounds like something Cedar would write, but I was listening to a lot of his music back when I wrote it and it's one of the few songs written when I was a bit younger that I don't mind.

I recorded Stompin' at the Savoy with Ben Vanderwal and Karl Florisson on a trio album, and this arrangement references the way we would play it a little bit.

The Summary is from the Thad Jones album Suite for Pops. I first heard it on the Joe Lovano ballads album called I'm All For You. Hank Jones sounds so good on that one.

Solo piano is intimidating. I probably wouldn't have released anything solo for another 10 years had it not been for ABC providing me with the opportunity to record. I'm glad they did as it was a nice chance to take a snapshot of what I've been into over the last few years. I imagine I'm not alone in saying I am haunted by the incredible solo piano recordings of the last 100 years (Art Tatum, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett Brad Mehldau etc...). When you hear music performed to such a high level it's easy to ask what's the point and give up. We need to remind ourselves that improvised music is about self expression as well as celebrating the great human artistic achievements of our past, and none of the best music would exist if everyone felt squashed by the weight of our ancestors artistic achievements. So that's my public self justification for releasing this.


Ask Me Now: Thelonious Monk
Why Judy Why: Billy Joel
Stairway to the Stars: Matty Malneck and Frank Signorelli
Cedar's Waltz: Harry Mitchell
Stompin' At the Savoy: Benny Goodman
The Summary: Thad Jones

All Arrangements: Harry Mitchell

harrymitchell.net