Tommy Flanagan was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 16,1930. As a teenager he established a reputation as a sensative and stimulating accompanist. This led to recordings and live appearances with J.J.Johnson, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins (Saxophone Colossus), and Coleman Hawkins. For a long time Flanagan's skill in backing soloists invloved total immersion in servicing singers, notably Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald. From the mid 1970's however, life as an independent trio leader and soloist has produced many fine albums, in which Flanagan's surprisingly delecate touch combines with rhythmic resilience to create a uniquely refined approach to bebop piano.