Childhood Heroes — We all had them…

Excerpted from exclusive Jerry Jazz Musician interviews, our guests talk of theirs.

This edition…McCoy Tyner

_____

JJM Who were your heroes?

MT When I was growing up, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk were basically the people who inspired me on the piano. Later on, I found out about Art Tatum and others. Bud and Thelonious were the main people who inspired me. Bud Powell, fortunately, moved around the corner from me when I was about 15. It was in the mid 50’s, and his brother, Richie, was with the Max Roach/Clifford Brown band. Richie had an apartment around the corner and Bud moved in. I was very fortunate to have a gentleman that inspired me right around the corner, in my neighborhood.

JJM Was he your first memory of listening to a piano performance as a child?

MT I had an R&B band in junior high school, and some of the older musicians got me involved in the modern concept. I think Bud was one of the first, but I wouldn’t say he was the first. He and Thelonious culminated around the same time. I can’t say who I heard first.

*

To read our interview with McCoy Tyner, where he discusses the classic John Coltrane recording A Love Supreme, click here

A 1962 filmed performance of Bud Powell playing “Anthropology”

Thelonious Monk playing “‘Round Midnight”

The McCoy Tyner Trio, with Freddie Hubbard and Joe Henderson

Visit page one of our “Who Was Your Childhood Hero ?” archive