Bud Powell, 1953 publicity photo

Photo by Gale Agency, New York (public domain)

Bud Powell

Piano · born 27 September 1924 – died 1 August 1966

▸ Click for Richard Cook Bio

A mental case who suffered numerous nervous collapses, who behaved irrationally on an almost continuous basis, and who abused himself further with heroin use and heavy drinking, Powell was also one of the masters of the bebop idiom, even if his music seems to balance precariously between executive brilliance and a capitulation to a kind of narcotic delirium – almost a manifestation of bop's state of jangled nerves. He was part of the inner circle at Minton's Playhouse in the early 40s, where Thelonious Monk kept an eye on his progress, and he began playing in Cootie Williams's orchestra in 1943. But things started to go awry for him as early as 1945, when he was hospitalized supposedly following a racial beating, and though he quickly returned to the 52nd Street scene, recurrent problems led to him having ECT later in the decade. While he didn't take part in any of the early major bebop record dates, his own first records as a leader in 1947 unveiled his early style brilliantly, showing the influence of such earlier masters as Nat Cole and Teddy Wilson, but with a careering right hand which, as many commentators have suggested, was the pianistic equivalent of Charlie Parker's explosive lines. His almost brittle delivery underscored the piano's existence as a percussion instrument, and the role of his left hand – sparsely marking out chords which blipped into unexpected spaces, dissonant and startling even if one follows that hand rather than the right – quickly became standard practice for bebop piano, even though none really approached Powell's momentous personification of the style. Alfred Lion recorded him for Blue Note later in the decade with a band including Fats Navarro and Sonny Rollins, and Ornithology is a beautiful instance of Powell in his prime. But there was a two-year gap before his next session for Blue Note. His behaviour became increasingly strange, and even Parker, hardly the epitome of good sense when it came to personal conduct, didn't want him in his band. Lion set up another date for Blue Note in 1951, and it didn't start auspiciously: Powell tried to kill Lion's cat, disappeared for 90 minutes just as they were about to start playing, and then rushed headlong through the date. His 50s work for Blue Note included some astonishing work, such as Un Poco Loco and The Glass Enclosure, yet even by 1953 his playing had begun to decline, marked by misfingerings and dead ends. Even a below-par Powell was worth hearing and he made some further records for RCA and Roulette later in the decade, but by 1959 he was in a very fragile state and went to live in Paris for five years, a celebrity away from home, and while his life was settled to some extent, his musical powers continued to diminish rather than recover. As with Lester Young, who, like Powell, was in part used as the basis for the Dale Turner character in Bertrand Tavernier's Round Midnight, Powell's playing became careful and self-conscious, and although many public and private recordings have survived from his Paris years, the best moments are often hidden or spoiled. He went back to America in 1964 on the promise of work, but was already suffering from tuberculosis and cirrhosis, and though he was supposed to return to Paris he never did: after a hopeless final Carnegie Hall concert in 1965, he died from his TB condition in 1966.

Biography from Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia (2005).

If you'd like more information, check out The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz (2002) or The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz (2007), both of which are still in print.

As leader

  • Bud Powell – Jazz OriginalBud Powell – Jazz Original
  • Bud Powell – The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume OneBud Powell – The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume One
  • Bud Powell – The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume TwoBud Powell – The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume Two
  • Bud Powell – Piano InterpretationsBud Powell – Piano Interpretations
  • Bud Powell – Bud! The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume ThreeBud Powell – Bud! The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume Three
  • Bud Powell Trio – Strictly PowellBud Powell Trio – Strictly Powell
  • Bud Powell – Time Waits: The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume FourBud Powell – Time Waits: The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume Four
  • Bud Powell Trio – Blues in the ClosetBud Powell Trio – Blues in the Closet
  • Bud Powell – The Scene ChangesBud Powell – The Scene Changes

Plays on

  • Sonny Stitt – Sonny Stitt with Bud Powell and J.J. JohnsonSonny Stitt – Sonny Stitt with Bud Powell and J.J. Johnson
  • Fats Navarro – The Fabulous Fats Navarro, Volume OneFats Navarro – The Fabulous Fats Navarro, Volume One
  • Fats Navarro – The Fabulous Fats Navarro, Volume TwoFats Navarro – The Fabulous Fats Navarro, Volume Two
  • The Quintet – Jazz at Massey HallThe Quintet – Jazz at Massey Hall

Mentioned in text

  • Clifford Brown / Max Roach – Brown and Roach IncorporatedClifford Brown / Max Roach – Brown and Roach Incorporated
  • Tal Farlow – The Interpretations of Tal FarlowTal Farlow – The Interpretations of Tal Farlow
  • Billy Taylor – EvergreensBilly Taylor – Evergreens
  • Phineas Newborn Jr. – Here is PhineasPhineas Newborn Jr. – Here is Phineas
  • Jimmy Giuffre – The Jimmy Giuffre ClarinetJimmy Giuffre – The Jimmy Giuffre Clarinet
  • Jay Jay Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume OneJay Jay Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume One
  • Jay Jay Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume TwoJay Jay Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume Two
  • The Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume OneThe Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume One
  • The Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume TwoThe Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume Two
  • Thelonious Monk – Genius of Modern Music, Volume OneThelonious Monk – Genius of Modern Music, Volume One
  • Thelonious Monk – Genius of Modern Music, Volume TwoThelonious Monk – Genius of Modern Music, Volume Two
  • Jimmy Smith – A New Sound, A New Star, Volume OneJimmy Smith – A New Sound, A New Star, Volume One
  • Jimmy Smith – A New Sound, A New Star, Volume TwoJimmy Smith – A New Sound, A New Star, Volume Two
  • Jutta Hipp – At The Hickory House, Volume OneJutta Hipp – At The Hickory House, Volume One
  • Herbie Nichols – Herbie Nichols TrioHerbie Nichols – Herbie Nichols Trio
  • Dexter Gordon – Blows Hot and CoolDexter Gordon – Blows Hot and Cool
  • Clifford Brown and Max Roach – At Basin StreetClifford Brown and Max Roach – At Basin Street
  • Red Rodney Quintet – Modern Music from ChicagoRed Rodney Quintet – Modern Music from Chicago
  • Bud Shank – The Bud Shank QuartetBud Shank – The Bud Shank Quartet
  • Elmo Hope Trio – MeditationsElmo Hope Trio – Meditations
  • Sanford Gold – Piano D’orSanford Gold – Piano D’or
  • Elmo Hope – Hope Meets FosterElmo Hope – Hope Meets Foster
  • Stan Getz / Zoot Sims / Al Cohn / Allen Eager / Brew Moore – The BrothersStan Getz / Zoot Sims / Al Cohn / Allen Eager / Brew Moore – The Brothers
  • Teddy Charles – Collaboration: WestTeddy Charles – Collaboration: West
  • Jackie McLean Quintet – Lights Out!Jackie McLean Quintet – Lights Out!
  • Elmo Hope Sextet – Informal JazzElmo Hope Sextet – Informal Jazz
  • Miles Davis – Collectors’ ItemsMiles Davis – Collectors’ Items
  • Jackie McLean – 4, 5, and 6Jackie McLean – 4, 5, and 6
  • Bennie Green – Walking DownBennie Green – Walking Down
  • Gene Ammons – All-Star SessionsGene Ammons – All-Star Sessions
  • Hank Mobley – Mobley’s MessageHank Mobley – Mobley’s Message
  • Randy Weston Trio – With These HandsRandy Weston Trio – With These Hands
  • Sonny Stitt – Sonny Stitt PlaysSonny Stitt – Sonny Stitt Plays
  • Charles Mingus – The ClownCharles Mingus – The Clown
  • Jutta Hipp – At The Hickory House, Volume TwoJutta Hipp – At The Hickory House, Volume Two
  • Jimmy Smith – At Club Baby Grand, Volume OneJimmy Smith – At Club Baby Grand, Volume One
  • Jimmy Smith – At Club Baby Grand, Volume TwoJimmy Smith – At Club Baby Grand, Volume Two
  • Johnny Griffin – Introducing Johnny GriffinJohnny Griffin – Introducing Johnny Griffin
  • Kenny Dorham – Afro-CubanKenny Dorham – Afro-Cuban
  • J.R. Monterose – J.R. MonteroseJ.R. Monterose – J.R. Monterose
  • Lou Donaldson – Quartet Quintet SextetLou Donaldson – Quartet Quintet Sextet
  • Sonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume OneSonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume One
  • Lou Donaldson Quintet – Wailing With LouLou Donaldson Quintet – Wailing With Lou
  • Thad Jones – The Magnificent Thad Jones, Volume ThreeThad Jones – The Magnificent Thad Jones, Volume Three
  • Sonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume TwoSonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume Two
  • Johnny Griffin – A Blowing SessionJohnny Griffin – A Blowing Session
  • Curtis Fuller – The OpenerCurtis Fuller – The Opener
  • Paul Chambers – Bass On TopPaul Chambers – Bass On Top
  • The Jazz Messengers – Hard BopThe Jazz Messengers – Hard Bop
  • Sonny Rollins – Way Out WestSonny Rollins – Way Out West
  • Curtis Counce – You Get More Bounce With Curtis CounceCurtis Counce – You Get More Bounce With Curtis Counce
  • Horace Silver – Silver’s BlueHorace Silver – Silver’s Blue
  • Charles Mingus – Charles Mingus TrioCharles Mingus – Charles Mingus Trio
  • Bud Shank – Bud Shank QuartetBud Shank – Bud Shank Quartet
  • Gil Mellé – Gil’s GuestsGil Mellé – Gil’s Guests
  • Red Garland Trio – A Garland of RedRed Garland Trio – A Garland of Red
  • Freddie Redd / Hamp Hawes – Piano East / Piano WestFreddie Redd / Hamp Hawes – Piano East / Piano West
  • Jackie McLean Quintet – Jackie’s PalJackie McLean Quintet – Jackie’s Pal
  • Sonny Rollins – Saxophone ColossusSonny Rollins – Saxophone Colossus
  • Phil Woods / Donald Byrd – The Young BloodsPhil Woods / Donald Byrd – The Young Bloods
  • Prestige All-Stars – All Day LongPrestige All-Stars – All Day Long
  • Hank Mobley Quintet – Mobley’s 2nd MessageHank Mobley Quintet – Mobley’s 2nd Message
  • Thad Jones / Frank Wess / Teddy Charles / Mal Waldron / Doug Watkins / Elvin Jones – OlioThad Jones / Frank Wess / Teddy Charles / Mal Waldron / Doug Watkins / Elvin Jones – Olio
  • Red Garland Trio – Red Garland’s PianoRed Garland Trio – Red Garland’s Piano
  • Kenny Burrell – Kenny BurrellKenny Burrell – Kenny Burrell
  • Mal Waldron Quintet – Mal-1Mal Waldron Quintet – Mal-1
  • Mose Allison – Back Country SuiteMose Allison – Back Country Suite
  • Art Farmer / Donald Byrd / Idrees Sulieman – Three TrumpetsArt Farmer / Donald Byrd / Idrees Sulieman – Three Trumpets
  • Paul Quinichette – On the Sunny SidePaul Quinichette – On the Sunny Side
  • Webster Young – For LadyWebster Young – For Lady
  • Miles Davis – Bags GrooveMiles Davis – Bags Groove
  • Gene Ammons – Jammin’ In Hi FiGene Ammons – Jammin’ In Hi Fi
  • Mal Waldron – Mal/2Mal Waldron – Mal/2
  • Idrees Sulieman / Webster Young / John Coltrane / Bobby Jaspar – Interplay for 2 Trumpets and 2 TenorsIdrees Sulieman / Webster Young / John Coltrane / Bobby Jaspar – Interplay for 2 Trumpets and 2 Tenors
  • Red Garland – GroovyRed Garland – Groovy
  • Phil Woods / Gene Quill / Sahib Shihab / Hal Stein – Four AltosPhil Woods / Gene Quill / Sahib Shihab / Hal Stein – Four Altos
  • Art Taylor – Taylor’s WailersArt Taylor – Taylor’s Wailers
  • Bill Evans – New Jazz ConceptionsBill Evans – New Jazz Conceptions
  • Kenny Drew – Kenny Drew TrioKenny Drew – Kenny Drew Trio
  • Kenny Drew – This Is NewKenny Drew – This Is New
  • Sonny Rollins – The Sound of SonnySonny Rollins – The Sound of Sonny
  • Hank Mobley Quintet – Introducing Lee MorganHank Mobley Quintet – Introducing Lee Morgan
  • Cecil Payne – Cecil PayneCecil Payne – Cecil Payne
  • George Wallington – Knight MusicGeorge Wallington – Knight Music
  • Hank Mobley Sextet – HankHank Mobley Sextet – Hank
  • Paul Chambers – Paul Chambers QuintetPaul Chambers – Paul Chambers Quintet
  • Cliff Jordan – Cliff JordanCliff Jordan – Cliff Jordan
  • Hank Mobley – Hank MobleyHank Mobley – Hank Mobley
  • Sonny Clark – Dial “S” For SonnySonny Clark – Dial “S” For Sonny
  • Curtis Fuller – Bone & BariCurtis Fuller – Bone & Bari
  • Lee Morgan – City LightsLee Morgan – City Lights
  • Sonny Clark – Sonny’s CribSonny Clark – Sonny’s Crib
  • John Coltrane – Blue TrainJohn Coltrane – Blue Train
  • Lee Morgan – The CookerLee Morgan – The Cooker
  • Sonny Clark – Sonny Clark TrioSonny Clark – Sonny Clark Trio
  • Johnny Griffin – The CongregationJohnny Griffin – The Congregation
  • Sonny Clark – Cool Struttin’Sonny Clark – Cool Struttin’
  • Lee Morgan – CandyLee Morgan – Candy
  • Louis Smith – SmithvilleLouis Smith – Smithville
  • Kenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume OneKenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume One
  • Hampton Hawes Quartet – All Night Session! Vols. 1-3Hampton Hawes Quartet – All Night Session! Vols. 1-3
  • George Wallington Quintet – The PrestidigitatorGeorge Wallington Quintet – The Prestidigitator
  • Jackie McLean / John Jenkins – Alto MadnessJackie McLean / John Jenkins – Alto Madness
  • Yusef Lateef Quintet – The Sounds of YusefYusef Lateef Quintet – The Sounds of Yusef
  • Steve Lacy – Soprano SaxSteve Lacy – Soprano Sax
  • Sonny Rollins – Tour De ForceSonny Rollins – Tour De Force
  • Red Garland Quintet – All Mornin’ LongRed Garland Quintet – All Mornin’ Long
  • Sonny Stitt – Stitt’s BitsSonny Stitt – Stitt’s Bits
  • Tommy Flanagan – OverseasTommy Flanagan – Overseas
  • Mose Allison – Young Man MoseMose Allison – Young Man Mose
  • Tiny Grimes with Coleman Hawkins – Blues GrooveTiny Grimes with Coleman Hawkins – Blues Groove
  • Red Garland Trio – MantecaRed Garland Trio – Manteca
  • Dorothy Ashby – Hip HarpDorothy Ashby – Hip Harp
  • Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis – CookbookEddie “Lockjaw” Davis – Cookbook
  • Shirley Scott – Great Scott!Shirley Scott – Great Scott!
  • Freddy Redd Trio – San Francisco Suite for Jazz TrioFreddy Redd Trio – San Francisco Suite for Jazz Trio
  • Johnny Griffin – Johnny Griffin SextetJohnny Griffin – Johnny Griffin Sextet
  • Jimmy Smith – The Sounds of Jimmy SmithJimmy Smith – The Sounds of Jimmy Smith
  • Jimmy Smith – House PartyJimmy Smith – House Party
  • Dizzy Reece – Blues in TrinityDizzy Reece – Blues in Trinity
  • Horace Silver Quintet – Finger Poppin’Horace Silver Quintet – Finger Poppin’
  • Charles Mingus – Mingus Ah UmCharles Mingus – Mingus Ah Um
  • Miles Davis – And The Modern Jazz GiantsMiles Davis – And The Modern Jazz Giants
  • Curtis Fuller – Sliding EasyCurtis Fuller – Sliding Easy
  • Walter Davis, Jr. – Davis CupWalter Davis, Jr. – Davis Cup
  • Donald Byrd – Byrd in HandDonald Byrd – Byrd in Hand
  • Kenny Burrell – On View at the Five Spot CafeKenny Burrell – On View at the Five Spot Cafe
  • Jackie McLean – Swing Swang Swingin’Jackie McLean – Swing Swang Swingin’
  • Freddie Redd Quartet – Music from The ConnectionFreddie Redd Quartet – Music from The Connection
  • Horace Parlan – Movin’ & Groovin’Horace Parlan – Movin’ & Groovin’
  • Dizzy Reece – Soundin’ OffDizzy Reece – Soundin’ Off
  • Jackie McLean – Capuchin SwingJackie McLean – Capuchin Swing
  • Harold Land – The FoxHarold Land – The Fox
  • Jackie McLean – Makin’ the ChangesJackie McLean – Makin’ the Changes
  • John Coltrane – Giant StepsJohn Coltrane – Giant Steps
  • Curtis Fuller – Curtis Fuller, Volume ThreeCurtis Fuller – Curtis Fuller, Volume Three
  • Kenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume TwoKenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume Two
  • Duke Pearson – Tender Feelin’sDuke Pearson – Tender Feelin’s
  • Lou Donaldson – Sunny Side UpLou Donaldson – Sunny Side Up
  • Horace Parlan – Us ThreeHorace Parlan – Us Three
  • J.J. Johnson / Kai Winding – The Great Kai & J.J.J.J. Johnson / Kai Winding – The Great Kai & J.J.
  • Jimmy Woods – Awakening!!Jimmy Woods – Awakening!!
  • McCoy Tyner Trio – InceptionMcCoy Tyner Trio – Inception
  • Thelonious Monk Quartet – Monk’s DreamThelonious Monk Quartet – Monk’s Dream
  • Art Blakey Jazz Messengers – CaravanArt Blakey Jazz Messengers – Caravan
  • Bill Evans – InterplayBill Evans – Interplay
  • Charles Mingus – Town Hall Concert, 1964Charles Mingus – Town Hall Concert, 1964
  • Elvin Jones – And Then AgainElvin Jones – And Then Again
  • Herbie Hancock – Maiden VoyageHerbie Hancock – Maiden Voyage
  • Miles Davis – And the Modern Jazz GiantsMiles Davis – And the Modern Jazz Giants