There aren’t many jazz pianists around that still adhere to the stride style of playing, and it’s neck and neck between Dick Hyman and Roger Kellaway for the heavyweight title. Hyman is caught here at Farley’s House of Pianos in Madison, Wisconsin and he takes the classic piano style and makes it swing, bop and coo. A trio of Monk tunes show how even bebop has its heart in stride with rich deliveries of “Blue Monk,” “Ugly Beauty” and “Misterioso.” Hyman stretches out ballads like “Send in the Clowns” and “All the Things You Are” like Silly Putty, and makes these pieces like lovely variations on a Tin Pan Alley Theme. Of course, his thing is swing, and “Take the A Train” and “Sweet Georgia Brown” are tour de forces of joy. This concert is chock full of fun, technique and cleverness. Isn’t that why you got into jazz in the first place?
Arbors Records