Black Berries is a standout piano trio album by jazz pianist Tony Suggs, released on December 1, 2007.
At the time of its recording and release, Suggs was prominently serving as the featured main pianist for the legendary Count Basie Orchestra. This project gave him a dedicated space outside the big band context to flex his muscle in a tight, intimate small-group setting.
- The Vibe & Lineup: The record is formatted as a traditional acoustic piano trio. It features a heavy, deeply rooted, and swinging “Black Jazz” aesthetic, carrying an incredibly rich, aromatic, and soulful presence.
- Track Profile: The vast majority of the tracks on the album are Suggs’ own original compositions. The notable exception on the record is track one, which is a blazing cover of the classic jazz standard “Two Bass Hit” (originally composed by John Lewis and famously played by Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis).
- Label & Production: The album was released via the specialized audiophile label Studio DeDe (Catalog ID:
SDRCS07001).
Here are the key details surrounding the release:
It’s an excellent, deeply swinging showcase of his foundational piano playing. It acts as a great sonic bridge between his classic big band sensibilities and his more contemporary hard bop/soul-jazz styling.