Tadd Dameron (1917-1965) was an American jazz pianist, composer and arranger, one of the important architects of bebop and early modern jazz writing. His compositions became part of the jazz repertory.

In the Pristine catalogue he appears with Miles Davis in the 1949 Paris recordings, alongside James Moody, Kenny Clarke and Barney Spieler.

Dameron’s music is known for harmonic sophistication, graceful melodic contour and elegant ensemble design. He gave bebop a lyrical tailoring that still feels beautifully cut.

His page is justified by both the Miles Davis connection and his wider importance. Dameron was a composer’s composer in a world of fast-fingered fireworks.