Shirley Scott's debut CD with Arthur Harper on bass and Mickey Roker on drums, recorded live at Birdland, NY.

The city of Philadelphia has spawned some quite remarkable keyboard stylists through the years. A cursory list would include Luckey Roberts, Billy Kyle, Bill Doggett, John Ace, Lou Stein, Beryl Booker, Herman Foster, Ray Bryant, Bobby Timmons, McCoy Tyner - and Shirley Scott.

Like the swinging and forceful Dogett, Shirley is equally at home on organ or piano, but her pianistic light was hidden under a bushel for many years, such was her popularity as one of the most original of jazz organists.

She has appeared on a number of other people's albums in the role of pianist, but this Candid set marks her debut as a leader of a piano trio. Shirley is full of admiration and praise of the other two thirds of this working trio (Arthur Harper on bass and Mickey Roker on drums).

The love, care and experience of the threesome is evident in the spontaneous feel that abounds and in the thoughtfully attractive arrangements. This CD reveals is the musical firm of Scott, Harper and Roker tells it the way it should be. Trios don't come much more hip than this one!