Strings and Swing: McCann's Lush Debut
McCann's piano cuts through lush string arrangements with warmth and swing, never sounding precious or restrained.
Much Les opens with a sound you don't expect from a jazz pianist's debut: McCann's trickling, confident piano floating over a full string section, with Leroy Vinnegar holding the bottom on bass and Donald Dean brushing the drums into something almost orchestral. Add Victor Pantoja on congas and Willie Bobo on timbales, and the whole thing feels like a session that could have stayed in the studio for a week. McCann plays with real ease here—never showing off, just phrasing like someone who knows exactly what he wants to say. The strings are written to complement rather than smother; they sway and sigh behind him instead of drowning him out.
This is McCann early in his career, and he's already comfortable enough to share the stage. A track like "With These Hands" (which Atlantic released as a single in March 1969) shows that balance perfectly—a tune with genuine melody that lets the piano breathe while the strings add shape and color. The rhythm section of Vinnegar and Dean keeps everything grounded; this isn't floating or precious, it's a real band swinging together.
Much Les feels like a statement of intent without trying too hard. McCann isn't reinventing the wheel here, but he's signaling that he can play in multiple colors—funk and soul pianist meets jazz sophisticate with orchestral ambitions. For a debut, it's remarkably assured, the work of someone who came into the studio knowing who he was.
Who's playing
Leroy Vinnegarbass
Les McCannpiano
Donald Deandrums
Victor Pantojacongas
Willie Bobotimbales
Ron Carterstrings
Selwart Clarkestrings
Winston Collymorestrings
Noel DaCostastrings
Richard Eliasstrings
Emanuel Greenstrings
Theodore Israelstrings
Warren Laffredostrings
Kermit Moorestrings
Harvey Shapirostrings
Where next?
More by Les McCann
All 32 albums →
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
