Born in Philadelphia in 1931, Ray Bryant learnt piano from an early age, playing in church, but soon switched from classical to jazz, and turned professional when he was 14. 

In the late ‘40s he toured with Tiny Grimes’ band, and then was a solo pianist in Syracuse, N.Y. before returning to Philadelphia to play  in clubs there, accompanying visiting musicians like Lester Young and Charlie Parker, and for a while was Carmen McRae’s accompanist until he began recording as soloist and leader. Although he was a fluent player in the bebop idiom, he combined blues, boogie-woogie, gospel, and stride in a distinctive, soulful, and swinging style; as Scott Yanow at Allmusic.com says, “no one played ‘After Hours’ quite like him”. 

This 37-track 2-CD comprises most of the titles from the albums with his trio “Ray Bryant Trio” on Epic, “Ray Bryant Trio” on Prestige, and “Ray Bryant Plays” on Signature, and from the solo album “Alone With The Blues” on New Jazz.  It also includes 1959 No. 12 R&B hit single “Little Susie” on Signature. It features recordings with bass players Wyatt Ruther, Ike Isaacs and Tommy Bryant and drummers Kenny Clarke, Jo Jones, Osie Johnson, Specs Wright and Oliver Jackson. His music was always accessible and entertaining, with fluent improvisations, and this collection of recordings from his early years is an enlightening showcase for his particular brand of jazz piano.

CD 1
1. CUBANO CHANT  Ray Bryant Trio 
2. OFF SHORE  Ray Bryant Trio 
3. WELL, YOU NEEDN'T  Ray Bryant Trio 
4. CRY ME A RIVER  Ray Bryant Trio 
5. IN A MELLOW TONE  Ray Bryant Trio 
6. YOU'RE MY THRILL  Ray Bryant Trio 
7. A NIGHT IN TUNISIA  Ray Bryant Trio 
8. GOODBYE  Ray Bryant Trio 
9. PHILADELPHIA BOUND  Ray Bryant Trio 
10. PAWN TICKET  Ray Bryant Trio 
11. THE BREEZE AND I  Ray Bryant Trio 
12. IT'S A PITY TO SAY GOODNIGHT  Ray Bryant Trio 
From the album “RAY BRYANT TRIO”  Epic    LN3279 1956
13. GOLDEN EARRINGS Ray Bryant Trio 
14. ANGEL EYES  Ray Bryant Trio 
15. BLUES CHANGES  Ray Bryant Trio 
16. SPLITTIN'  Ray Bryant Trio 
17. DJANGO  Ray Bryant Trio 
18. DAAHOUD  Ray Bryant Trio 
19. SONAR  Ray Bryant Trio
From the album “RAY BRYANT TRIO”    Prestige PRLP 7068    1957

CD 2
1. JOY (BLUES NO. 2) Ray Bryant 
2. LOVER MAN  Ray Bryant 
3. ME AND THE BLUES (BLUES NO. 1) Ray Bryant 
4. ROCKIN' CHAIR  Ray Bryant 
5. STOCKING FEET  Ray Bryant 
From the album “Alone With The Blues    New Jazz   NJLP8213    1957
6. DELAUNEY'S DILEMMA  Ray Bryant Trio 
7. BLUE MONK  Ray Bryant Trio 
8. MISTY  Ray Bryant Trio 
9. SNEAKING AROUND  Ray Bryant Trio 
10. NOW'S THE TIME  Ray Bryant Trio 
11. WHEATLEIGH HALL  Ray Bryant Trio 
12. DOODLIN'  Ray Bryant Trio 
13. A HUNDRED DREAMS FROM NOW  Ray Bryant Trio 
14. BAGS' GROOVE  Ray Bryant Trio 
15. WALKIN'  Ray Bryant Trio 
16. TAKE THE A TRAIN  Ray Bryant Trio 
17. WHISPER NOT  Ray Bryant Trio 
From the album “Ray Bryant Plays”   Signature   SM6008  1959
18. LITTLE SUSIE Ray Bryant Trio     Signature 12026      1959