Evans Bradshaw / Roosevelt Wardell

This set presents the only albums recorded for the Riverside label by two young and talented pianists: Evans Bradshaw (1933-1978) and Roosevelt Wardell (1934-1999). Both enjoyed some success in the late 50s and early 60s, and showed signs of maturing into significant jazz figures, but both remained largely unrecognized and their careers never took off as expected.

Evans Bradshaw, mostly associated with the Detroit scene, is featured in two albums displaying his inventive playing, technical command and undoubted promise, swinging hard at uptempo performances and revealing considerable sensitivity on ballads.

Roosevelt Wardell was an R&B singer before he became a jazz pianist. Altoist Cannonball Adderley, who by then was also acting as a Riverside A&R, discovered Wardell in Los Angeles while he was playing with Dexter Gordon. He quickly arranged for the recording of The Revelation, Wardell's debut. An authoritative performer, the young pianist showed a maturity beyond his years, developing well-constructed, imaginative lines and absorbing his formative influences into an individual style devoid of empty flourishes or gimmicks, in which his roots and swing are ever present.

Their careers never lived up to the promise of these recordings. But the promise is still there to be recognized, savoured and enjoyed.