Pianist Kayo Hiraki leads a flexible bop trio with Patrick O’Leary/b and Eric Halvorson along with a handful of guests through some well composed originals and a few covers. Her touch is confident as she slinks with O’Leary’s bass on “Tarte aux Fraises” and “59th Street Station B Line” while even singing like a chanteuse on “My Melancholy Baby.” Russell Malone brings his warm guitar tone to the scene for a Latin Lover of “Komorebi” and Giuseppe Milici’s chromatic harmonica sighs with delight on the blue toned “June in Paris” and ”Café Gitane” and Nick Hempton’s alto gives extra soul to Kayo’s strut on “Midday Sun Shower.” Sublime swing.Kayo: Manhattan Sunset
Pianist Kayo Hiraki leads a flexible bop trio with Patrick O’Leary/b and Eric Halvorson along with a handful of guests through some well composed originals and a few covers. Her touch is confident as she slinks with O’Leary’s bass on “Tarte aux Fraises” and “59th Street Station B Line” while even singing like a chanteuse on “My Melancholy Baby.” Russell Malone brings his warm guitar tone to the scene for a Latin Lover of “Komorebi” and Giuseppe Milici’s chromatic harmonica sighs with delight on the blue toned “June in Paris” and ”Café Gitane” and Nick Hempton’s alto gives extra soul to Kayo’s strut on “Midday Sun Shower.” Sublime swing.