PRE-ORDER: Tommy Flanagan "So In Love" LP

THIS IS A PRE-ORDER: We expect this to ship on or around SEPTEMBER 18th, 2026. Any items ordered with this will be held until they can ship together. If you need other items faster please place a separate order for those items.

So In Love captures one of the final recorded performances by legendary jazz pianist Tommy Flanagan, documented live in Milan on November 17, 2000—just one year before his passing. This intimate concert stands as a poignant late-career statement from a musician whose artistry was defined by elegance, restraint, and a deeply lyrical approach to the piano. Far from a routine tour date, the performance feels like a reflective summation of a lifetime in jazz, offering a distilled expression of Flanagan’s signature touch and interpretive depth.

Rooted in the lineage of bebop and swing, Flanagan’s playing reflects the profound influence of his early years in Detroit, where he absorbed the innovations of Art Tatum and developed alongside figures such as Thad, Hank, and Elvin Jones. Rather than imitate, Flanagan internalized these influences, shaping a style marked by clarity, harmonic sophistication, and an unerring sense of space. His work as both a bandleader and accompanist—particularly with Ella Fitzgerald—cemented his reputation as one of jazz’s most sensitive and refined pianists, capable of elevating any ensemble while maintaining a distinct voice.

On So In Love, Flanagan is joined by longtime collaborators Rufus Reid on bass and Albert “Tootie” Heath on drums, forming a trio that embodies both musical precision and familial chemistry. The repertoire blends original compositions with carefully chosen standards, each rendered with nuance and emotional resonance. Highlights include a moving solo introduction to Tadd Dameron’s “If You Could See Me Now,” a piece that serves as both tribute and personal statement, as well as interpretations of Gershwin and Cole Porter that reflect Flanagan’s long-standing connection to the Great American Songbook.

Track List:

BIRDSONG
IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW
LIZA
SUNSET AND THE MOCKINGBIRD
RAINCHECK
SO IN LOVE

street date 9/18/2026