ONE of the best kept secrets in jazz is how Mr Peter Hardman introduced his recital to Bury Jazz Society members on Monday, September 26 at the Mosses Centre.

Mr Hardman presented a profile of pianist, composer and bandleader Tom Talbert, whose work is practically unknown, except to the musicians he played with and a small group of enthusiastic record collectors.

Talbert formed his first big band in Los Angeles in 1946 and began his recording career with the small Paramount label whose first issues were Down in Chihuahua and Stop Your Knockin, both of which featured tenor saxist Babe Russin.

At the same time he was arranging for many other bands including Lyle Griffin Flight of the Vout Bug and Boyd Raeburn C Jam Blues, the latter featuring the piano of Erroll Garner.

Tom Talbert was a self taught musician who grew up listening to the swing bands. He lived in Los Angeles until 1950 where he began composing and arranging for his own band but his records were never issued until quite recently, and even now are difficult to find.

An outstanding recording of S'wonderful, a tune which George Gershwin wrote for the show Funny Face which starred Fred and Adele Astaire was followed by I Cover the Waterfront with Art Pepper soloing on alto sax.

Mr Hardman explained how he first heard the music of Tom Talbert while listening to a jazz profile radio show being broadcast on national public radio from Washington.

Love is Just Around the Corner and Four Camellias featured Art Pepper on clarinet and Over the Rainbow which Harold Arlen wrote for the Wizard Oz was played at a much faster tempo than usual.

Tom joined bass player Oscar Pettiford's orchestra for Titoro and then accompanied singer Patty McGovern for I like Snow.

In 1956 he recorded an album dedicated to Bix Beiderbecke, Fats Waller and Duke Ellington. Green Night and Orange Bright was a feature for trumpet player Joe Wilder and No Time to be Blue was from his Louisiana Suite which he composed in 1977.

Coming more up to date Tom Talbert recorded Someone's Rocking My Blues in 1992, Duke's Domain in 1993 and Chiripa in 1999.

The chairman thanked Mr Hardman for explaining that the best kept secret in jazz is no secret any more.

Everyone is welcome at the Mosses Centre each Monday evening.