Hampton Hawes Plays Movie Musicals

Throughout his career, restless and constantly engaged in a search for self-improvement, Hampton Hawes tirelessly worked to find new ways to develop his repertoire beyond the usual bop standards he was known for. Here on one of his more obscure sessions, Hawes performs eight songs originally written for movies, long before it became fashionable for jazz musicians to record their own versions of Broadway hits. Presented here is this wonderful 1969 trio album, playing adventurous arrangements of tunes from popular 1960s movie musicals including 'Finian's Rainbow', 'Funny Girl' and 'Oliver', Hamp is joined by veteran musicians and close friends Larry Bunker (drums), Bob West (bass), and a string section arranged and conducted by Billy Byers. With tracks including 'Where Is Love?', 'As Long As She Needs Me' and 'The Music That Makes Me Dance'.