Ah! The stripped down essence of jazz-the piano trio!
Pianist Ted Rosenthal brings together Martin Wind/b and Tim Horner/dr for some highly clever arrangements of Gershwin tunes. The centerpiece, however, is a tour de force rendition of the whole meghilla “Rhapsody in Blue.” Has a trio ever attempted this Mt. Everest before? They make it work to creative perfection! Stretching and pulling pieces such as “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” and “Strike Up the Band” gives Horner and Wind a workout in flexibility, while Rosenthal keeps it all coherent, collected and thoroughly enjoyable. As fresh as Fred Astaire’s voice!
Krom consists of Adam Kromelow/p, Raviv Markovitz/b and Jason Burger/dr and they reflect the influence that The Bad Plus has had on the jazz trio. This band, like TBP, has the drums right up front, and creates originals such as “Savior Complex,” “The Better Story” and “Trust Your Instincts” that mix sardonic wit with hard hitting chops with a hint of tongue in cheek irony. Kromelow has a confident touch and mixes it up mano a mano with Burger like a wrestling match at time which comes out as a draw. Juices are flowing here.