Good things come in threes…
Composer and pianist Armen Donelian leads his trio of Jay Anderson/b and Dennis Mackrel/dr through a mix of reflective and romantic originals. He even sings a bit on the seductive “I’m Stepping Out With A Memory Tonight”, conversant in voice as well as on the ivories, during tunes such as the somber “Noviembre” and tender “Gale”. His fingers dance together on “Janet Left The Planet” and his pulse is patient for “In The Western Night”. Anderson is featured on the alluring “Tales In The Western Night” and lilts around the Latin pace of “Tirado”, playing well with Mackrel’s hp drums on “Madagascar”. Creative currents.
Veteran pianist Hal Galper is teamed with like minded mates Billy Mintz/dr and Tony Marino/b for a 2008 “live in studio” session. Galper’s touch is classy on his intro to a glowing “Embraceable You” that has the bassist pop the clutch and change gears to turn into a romp, while the leader keeps the current steady for is opening for the flavorful “Ambleside”. Mintz rides the whip for the leader’s blue ivories on “Winter Heart” and is playful and the ricochet’d read of Duke Ellington’s “Take The Coltrane” where the sparks fly like a welder’s table. The team scrambles and deconstructs the bop classic “Constellation” and shows a reflective side on the glistening “Wandering Spirit”. Authority in sound.
A four song ep by pianist Howard Britz’s trio with Eric Halvorson/dr and Don Falzone/b is a classy mainstream affair, with hints of vintage bop a law Tommy Flanagan or Mal Waldron. Britz’s ivories are polished on the sleek “To Friendship” while his hand gives a bluesy pulse on “Transition”. The team drives with verve on the fun conversational “Good Grief!”, with Falzone displaying his impressive wares on the rhapsodic and churchy title tune. Comfort food swing.