Sir Roland Hanna - Duke Ellington Piano Solos (1991)

On Duke Ellington Piano Solos, the exceptionally elegant, knighted American jazz piano master Sir Roland Hanna steps completely unaccompanied into the studio to deliver a deeply reverent, sophisticated, and masterfully lyrical solo document. Released in 1991 by the distinguished classical and jazz audiophile label MusicMasters, this brilliant interpretive milestone features Hanna exploring the monumental compositional book of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Spanning over 46 minutes of immaculate high-fidelity spatial design, the 11-track landscape operates with a relaxed, deeply expressive, and beautifully balanced kinetic energy. Hanna bridges the gap between classic Harlem stride stride traditions, rich European impressionist dynamics, and advanced post-bop harmonic extensions—firing off magnificent solo layouts like the opening reflective warmth of In My Solitude, a jaw-droppingly tender reading of Single Petal of a Rose, and a dazzlingly complex, percussive transformation of the timeless classic Caravan. Driven by his sparkling right-hand runs, immense technical velocity, and flawless touch, this pristine archive remains an indispensable masterpiece for serious solo piano purists and mainstream jazz collectors worldwide.