Well, he’s been a sideman for Gary Burton, and this solo recording is produced by Fred Hersch, so he’s got the ears of some guys who know what to listen for. Pianist Vadim Neselovsky puts together an impressive session here. Hard to believe this Ukrainian-born guys is a pretty young cat. He mixes standards with the Great European Songbook along with a couple tunes of his own, and already he’s got a nice personal sound and touch of his own.
His own material like “Spring Song” and “San Felio” have a playful inquisitiveness to them, with him searching over the piano and inviting you along. He goes in and out of themes without a hint of cacophony, always landing on his feet. Takes of jazz standards such as “Birdlike” and “All The Things You Are” incorporate a mix of bop and pocket filled grooves, yet with a Lisztian sensibility of ivory exploration. Chopin’s “Mazurka” delivers tads of bluesy variations on a theme, and Bach’s “Sinfonia No 11” bops better than John Lewis ever could have imagined. Varied, clever and intriguing. Bravo!
Sunnyside Records
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