Here’s an intriguing idea and realized concept by pianist Deanna Witkowski, the subtitle of the solo album is “Improvisations with Chopin,” which is not what most artists do, in that they “swing the classics.” No, Ms Witkowski takes a Chopin piece such as “Nocturne in Eb Major” or “Prelude in E Minor” and gentle veers off the regular path for well conceived and in –mood solos that add to rather than detract from the original piece. She has a hint of Bill Evans in her touch, which works well as she teams “Etude in Eb Minor” with “You and the Night and the Music” and her own pieces such as “Following the Intuition” and “Walking the Labyringht” work as seams to tie the pieces together like an Amish quilt. This is one of the few times the melding of genres works without a single raised eyebrow. Look for this one!
Tilapia Records