Tom Kohl: Dances with the Sun

Pianist Tom Kohl forms a sleek trio with Steve LaSpina-Stephen Roane/b and Jon Doty/dr on this mix of originals with a couple standards. Kohl has a confident and rich touch, dark yet driving with a dash of Monk’s harmonics on pieces like the hip “Tymus” while the solo track “Apricots” reveals a rich use of 10 fingers in harmony. The trio shows a clever set of ideas as Kohl leads them through an assertive take of “Lover Man” while they change with dynamics with shadows and light on “Stick Figure.” Flexible bass interplay akin to vintage Bill Evans with Scott LaFaro takes place on the brushy “Indian Summer” while telepathic communication works well on the title track. Doty snaps everyone to attention on a Dickensian “Carbonesque” while the team swings with a stately delivery on “A Flat Tune.  Strong team effort.

www.tomkohlmusic.com

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