Tete MONTOLIU - Catalonian Fire 1974

Tete MONTOLIU - Catalonian Fire 1974
1991 Issue

Jazz

Tete Montoliu spent most of his career recording for various European-based record labels, with some of his best work appearing on Steeplechase, such as this trio session with bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Tootie Heath. Montoliu chose his rhythm section well, because both of these musicians respond well to an aggressive pianist like their leader, providing both strong support and lively interplay. The program is dominated by standards, including a rather abstract take of "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and an extended workout of "Falling in Love With Love" with a Latin rhythm. "Old Folks" starts with an unusual solo introduction that is both eerie and playful; Pedersen's countermelody is sparse and effective. Montoliu's sole original, "Blues for Perla," also stands out. The date concludes with a freewheeling exploration of Charlie Parker's "Au Privave," with the leader occasionally leaning toward an avant-garde sound in places. Recommended.
By Ken Dryden. AMG.
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Why in the world did this pianist not get the acclaim he deserved in his lifetime. His almost complete lack of touring in the US certainly accounted for some of it but for a man who released many albums and CDs his lack of presence within the jazz community is puzzling.
This was the first Montoliu recording I ever heard. When it came out in 1975 it was great and it remains one of my favorite jazz recordings. Montoliu plays with great passion, style and technique. Pedersen shows why he was perhaps the best European bassist of all time. Heath is a fabulous drummer with incredible groove and delicacy.
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Tete Montoliu- (Piano),
Albert "Tootie" Heath- (Drums),
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen- (Bass).
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01. Sweet Georgia Fame 7:37
02. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square 7:35
03. Blues For Perla 8:54
04. Falling In Love With Love 10:22
05. Old Folks 8:08
06. Au Privave 4:52
07. Body and Soul 9:52
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Tete MONTOLIU & Niels PETERSEN - Face To Face 1982

Tete MONTOLIU & Niels PETERSEN - Face To Face 1982
Label: Steeplechase
Audio CD: (January 1, 2000)

Jazz

An outstanding veteran pianist from Spain, Tete Montoliu was born blind. He learned to read music in Braille when he was seven and developed impressive technique on piano. He recorded with Lionel Hampton in 1956, had his first session as a leader in 1958, and played with the touring Roland Kirk in 1963. Through the years, he also worked with such visiting Americans as Kenny Dorham, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Lucky Thompson, and even Anthony Braxton. Tete Montoliu's visits to the U.S. were very infrequent, but his SteepleChase albums (starting in 1971) are generally available; he also cut one date for Contemporary (1979) and recorded for Enja and Soul Note.
By Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.
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He was born blind, in the Eixample district of Barcelona, and died in the same city. He was the only son of Vicenç Montoliu (a professional musician) and Àngela Massana, a jazz enthusiast, who encouraged her son to study piano. Montoliu's first experimenting with the piano took place under the tuition of Enric Mas at the private school for blind children that he attended from 1939–1944. In 1944, Montoliu's mother arranged for Petri Palou to provide him with formal piano lessons.

From 1946 to 1953 Montoliu studied music at the Conservatori Superior de Música de Barcelona where he also met jazz musicians, and became familiar with the idiom in jam sessions. During the early stages of his career, Montoliu was particularly influenced by the music of the American jazz pianist Art Tatum, although he soon developed a distinctive style, characterised by a profound musical sensitivity and extraordinary technical skill. Montoliu began playing professionally at pubs in Barcelona, where he was noticed by Lionel Hampton on March 13 1956. Montoliu toured with Hampton through Spain and France and recorded Jazz flamenco, setting off a prolific international career.

In the 1960s, Montoliu played in various concerts at New York and established collaborations with Elvin Jones and Richard Davis. During the 1970s, he travelled extensively throughout Europe, consolidating his reputation as a main referent in the Hard Bop movement. During the 1980s, he played in numerous concerts, collaborating with prominent jazz players such as Johnny Griffin, George Coleman, Joe Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Hank Jones, Roy Hargrove , Jerry Tilitz and Jesse Davis, among others.

In 1996, shortly before his death, Spain paid public tribute to Tete Montoliu for his outstanding fifty-year career in jazz.
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01. There Will Never Be Another You
02. I Love You
03. I Fall in Love Too Easily 
04. Lover Man/Salt Peanuts
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