One of the overlooked composers in the history of jazz is certainly Billy Strayhorn, who was not only overshadowed by his boss Duke Ellington, but rarely given the credit for The Duke’s most famous song, “Take the ‘A’ Train”. This album by pianist John Di Martino perfectly interprets Strayhorn’s songbook, teamed with the warm Ben Websterian tenor sax of Eric Alexander and swingingly supported by drummer Lewis Nash and bassist Boris Kozlov. Raul Midon lends his rich baritone for a languid read of “Lush Life”, but for the rest of the session, you get nimble and lyrical quartet takes. Alexander is bel canto and blue on “Chelsea Bridge” as he rolls in like a fog, and floats on “Passion Flower”. The team bounces delightfully on “Isfahan” and swings on “Rain Check”. Di Martino is melodic and tasty getting ebullient on “Daydream”, striding right on “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing” or going solo on a reflective “Lotus Blossum”. You’ll either get hooked on the composer or performers on this one.