Pianist Sal Mosca (who left us in 2007)is best remembered as the cool toned pianist associated with Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh. This 2 cd set finds him in vintage form in a 1992 tour of The Netherlands. What more you could want from a pianist would be hard to say, as this guy covers the waterfront of natural swing, style and taste. There are a handful of medleys; a 20 minute one goes from “Stardust” to “Lullaby In Rhythm” without missing a beat, and a boppers delight with melodic stylings on “All The Things You Are” teamed with “A Night In Tunisia.” It’s his touch on the delightfully synched “Donna Lee” and “Cherokee” are both subtle, understated and yet totally hip, while “Topsy” is blue-hued like a Gaughuin. Every note on this set is an example of what’s missing in today’s Berklee grads.
Sunnyside Records