Roland Hanna Trio - Time for the Dancers (Progressive)
with George Mraz (b) and Richard Pratt (d)
There are other pianists who I enjoy as much as Roland Hanna -- but there are none who I enjoy more.
Ken, I wish I could attend, but -- as you know -- I've got other commitments on that date.
I expect that the music will be wonderful, and I hope you raise lots of $$$ for this excellent cause.
Best wishes!
I've never warmed to Gulda's jazz playing, but I think his classical recordings are very special indeed. One particular favorite: Gulda's recordings of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier are some of the best I've ever heard. (I'm partial to the set that he originally recorded for MPS, which was subsequently reissued by Philips.)
Buddy Tate & the Muse All Stars - Live at Sandy's (Muse)
Tate's companion album from this gig, Hard Blowin', is very fine. But I think this one is even better. Lots of credit goes to the primo rhythm section.
Last night & this morning:
While these LPs aren't exactly "top-shelf" Ellington, I still really enjoy them. It's good fun to hear these pop tunes being given the Ducal treatment.
Duke Ellington - The Private Collection, Vol. 7: Studio Sessions, 1957 & 1962 (Saja / Atlantic)
Paul Gonsalves & Clark Terry are in the spotlight on many of these cuts. To this listener, that's always a good thing.