Promenade with Duke
Artist: Michel Petrucciani
Community Score: 10.00

In an interview, Michel Petrucciani said ".. my biggest inspiration is Duke Ellington, because in my very early age he gave [me] the inspiration to play the piano." With Promenade with Duke Petrucciani not only honors music Ellington composed, but music with which he was associated. There's some Billy Strayhorn pieces and other songs where... Read More

Prelude and Sonata
Artist: McCoy Tyner

McCoy Tyner's Prelude and Sonata adds a different twist from what one typically expects of the pianist; the seasoned veteran invited a trio of young lions (Joshua Redman, Antonio Hart, and Christian McBride) along with drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith to the date. The two showpieces are classical yet arranged in jazz settings. Chopin's "Prelude in... Read More

Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note: The Complete Recordings
Artist: Keith Jarrett
Community Score: 8.00

The six-CD box set Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note fully documents three nights (six complete sets from June 3-5, 1994) by his trio with bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Never mind that this same group has already had ten separate releases since 1983; this box is still well worth getting. The repertoire emphasizes (but is not... Read More

Introducing Three for All & One
Artist: Craig Handy

The trio of Craig Handy (on tenor and soprano), bassist Charles Fambrough, and drummer Ralph Peterson lives up to its potential during a wide-ranging set. The improvisations are explorative yet melodic and logical, while the interplay between these talented players is consistently impressive. Together they explore tributes to Clifford Jordan and... Read More

It Don't Mean a Thing
Artist: Elvin Jones

Elvin Jones has participated in many recording sessions through the years, but this CD is one of the most well-rounded sets he has ever led. The lineup of musicians is very impressive: trumpeter Nicholas Payton, Sonny Fortune on tenor and flute, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, pianist Willie Pickens, bassist Cecil McBee, and vocalist Kevin... Read More

Beyond Expectations
Artist: John Hicks

John Hicks was 51 when, in 1993, he recorded Beyond Expectations for the independent Reservoir label, and at that age no one was demanding that the veteran pianist reinvent the jazz wheel. However, it wasn't unreasonable to ask that he show some imagination when it came to choosing material. Some of Hicks' '90s albums placed too much emphasis on... Read More

An Ellington Affair
Artist: Bill Mays Trio

Bill Mays brings a fine trio and his improvisational skills to this album dedicated to the works of the inestimable Duke Ellington. Predating the Ellington centennial by three years, Mays and his trio get their licks in before the spate of Ellington tribute albums sure to hit the racks during Duke's 100th birthday year. Mays' approach to the... Read More

Four in One
Artist: Sonny Fortune

After years of erratic albums (other than two obscure efforts for the European Konnex label), altoist Sonny Fortune finally made a great recording with this release. Most selections feature Fortune (who plays flute on "Pannonica") joined by pianist Kirk Lightsey, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Billy Hart; "Reflections" is a duet with... Read More

Tune Up
Artist: Sergio Salvatore

Pianist Sergio Salvatore was only 13 at the time of this recording, his second release. But despite his extreme youth, one forgets Salvatore's age by the third song. He certainly gets the star treatment on the date, playing quartets with Gary Burton, interacting with the Brecker Brothers, and even duetting with Chick Corea on "Sea Journey." But... Read More

It's All Right to Swing
Artist: Eric Reed
Three Graces
Artist: Jeff Beal

Trumpeter Jeff Beal's compositions do not contain catchy melodies, but instead set mysterious and often melancholy moods with interesting frameworks, using occasional funk lines creatively. Much of the music builds logically to unexpected heights with surprising turns. Beal's fine trumpet playing is generally quite original (even if he hints... Read More

Travis Shook
Artist: Travis Shook

Travis Shook's debut as a leader features four standards and four lesser-known pieces and find the 22-year-old pianist displaying very impressive technique and (almost as importantly) plenty of self-restraint. His style shows slight echoes of McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock, but also builds and releases tension in a colorful fashion reminiscent... Read More

The Tribe
Artist: Mark Little

In the 1990s, Monarch was to the San Francisco Bay Area what Brownstone was to Boston and Delmark and Southport were to Chicago -- a jazz-oriented indie that wasn't afraid to document local talent. You didn't necessarily have to be a native or resident of the Bay Area to record for Monarch, but since the company was based in Palo Alto, CA, it... Read More