What a Wonderful World: For Lou
Artist: Clark Terry

72-year-old Clark Terry is in exuberant form throughout this very enjoyable disc. On "Duke's Place," ahe constructs a frequently hilarious monologue about a fictional dive, extolling its virtues (mostly food and women) for quite some time without losing momentum or stumbling even once despite the obvious spontaneity. The other selections... Read More

Subtle Legend, Vol. 1
Artist: Jimmy Rowles

This 1998 CD has a pair of previously unreleased live sets by pianist Jimmy Rowles. Most of the numbers are unaccompanied solos but there are also a few numbers with bassist Monty Budwig and drummer Donald Bailey. Rowles sings the obscure Ray Noble tune "Do You Know Why Stars Come Out at Night" and his classic "Ballad of Thelonious Monk," and he... Read More

By Himself: Arbors Piano Series, Vol. 3
Artist: Dave Frishberg

Dave Frishberg had not recorded a strictly instrumental solo piano record in many years when he cut this 1997 Arbors set. Actually he does vocalize on four numbers (most memorable is his classic "I Want To Be A Sideman" and a remake of "Can't Take You Nowhere"), the other ten songs put the focus purely on his underrated but swinging mainstream... Read More

A Handful of Stars
Artist: Adam Makowicz

Although recorded in 1981, this trio set by pianist Adam Makowicz, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Jack DeJohnette (the last ever worked on by legendary producer John Hammond) was not initially released until 1997. The lengthy delay was due to the collapse of a planned label rather than any musical deficiencies. Makowicz, who moved to the... Read More

1944-1945
Artist: Erroll Garner

The fourth in Classics' reissuance of all of the early recordings by the great pianist Erroll Garner has some unusual performances. The first eight numbers were private recordings cut during a jam session at Timme Rosenkrantz's apartment. Garner (who at that point in time only hinted at his emerging distinctive style and showed the influence of... Read More

Salute
Artist: Louie Bellson

This two-CD set has its interesting moments. Drummer Louie Bellson and his quintet (which also includes trumpeter Bobby Shew, George Young on tenor, pianist Willie Pickens and bassist Keter Betts) perform seven selections including Horace Silver's "Blowin' the Blues Away," George Young's "For Diz" and "When You Wish Upon a Star." The second CD... Read More

Piano Jazz: McPartland/Terry
Artist: Marian McPartland
Community Score: 9.00

Flugelhornist Clark Terry is such a delightful person that, even though most of the stories he tells during his appearance on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz radio show are not that new, they are fun to hear anyway. Still very much in his musical prime in 1993, C.T. is in typically upbeat form on seven duets with pianist McPartland, singing... Read More

Piano Jazz: McPartland/Burrell
Artist: Marian McPartland
Community Score: 10.00

This is the 21st of Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz radio shows to be issued on CD. The pianist welcomes guitarist Kenny Burrell for an hour of talk (covering briefly his early days, the legacy of Duke Ellington and his current activities) and music. With the exception of the closing "Raincheck," all of the typically tasteful playing emphasizes... Read More

Dear Mr. Cole
Artist: John Pizzarelli

John Pizzarelli's tribute to Nat King Cole features him in a drumless trio with pianist Benny Green and bassist Christian McBride on all but one selection. Pizzarelli is fine as a rhythm guitarist, but since he sings on most of the selections and his voice is merely average, this session (which includes 18 selections, most of which were... Read More

Only Trust Your Heart
Artist: Diana Krall
Community Score: 8.00
The Music of Jerome Kern
Artist: The Adam Makowicz Trio

Adam Makowicz interprets 11 well-known Jerome Kern compositions on his trio date with bassist George Mraz and drummer Alan Dawson. The pianist's arrangements are full of surprising turns and twists and his unpredictable flights result in some of the familiar songs being given unusual treatments. Stimulating and occasionally exciting music. ~... Read More

Fallin' In Love With Oscar
Artist: Oscar Peterson

After Oscar Peterson's serious stroke in 1993 he didn't record again for Telarc until 1995, though he was evidently recorded without authorization in a 1994 concert in Florida (he had signed an exclusive contract with Telarc in 1990), which appears on this CD. The pianist's lightning-like speed is gone and his left hand provides minimal... Read More