Tommy Flanagan: Bird Song

It's fitting that a man who spent a lifetime playing superb jazz piano celebrated his 67th birthday gigging at the Village Vanguard. And it's especially gratifying, after his decades accompanying a Who's Who of singers and instrumentalists, to find Tommy Flanagan spotlighted in a trio format, where he's free to deliver more than tasty backup. Flanagan splits the boppish tribute "Bird Song" by repeatedly invoking "Thelonious" (1947), swinging aggressively (Bird) and at times almost recklessly (Monk). Basking in the glow of his 67 candles, Tommy responds to wishes of "Many happy returns" by returning everlasting happiness to jazz piano fans.