Although Tommy Flanagan began by learning several instruments, including double
bass, clarinet, saxophone and vibraphone, he settled on the piano, making his
mark at an early age alongside the likes of Dexter Gordon, Oscar Pettiford and
Jay Jay Johnson. Recognized and appreciated for his sensitivity as an
accompanist, he took Ella Fitzgerald's privileged position as pianist in 1963,
staying with her for five years. From then on, other big names of the bebop jazz
era called on him: saxophonists Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane and Sonny
Rollins, trumpeters Miles Davis, Thad Jones an...