Pianist and composer Luke Gillespie displays a bopper’s heart with a 21st Century mindset on this winning album with a core trio of himself with bassist Jeremy Allen and drummer Steve Houghtan along with a collection of guests. This team shows uptown class and style on a lyrical read of “I Hear A Rhapsody” and creates a ballet read of “My Funny Valentine.” With the twin horns of warm toned tenor Walter Smith III and trumpet/flugelhorn master John Raymond, the team brings in a bluesy take of the classic “Giant Steps” after a gentle solo intro by the leader. Smith III blows smoke rings on the reclining “DaNaBar” Raymond waltzes through a remake of a Miles Davis piece on a waltzing “Blues For All,” and with guest guitarist Dave Stryker, the team gets hip on “This I Dig of Grew.” Cool toned vocalist Tierney Sutton gives a richly intimate duet with Gillespie as they glow by the fireplace on “Beautiful Love.
On his lonesome, Gillespie gives a dark and textured exploration into “’Round Midnight” and is reflective for a richly closing of the album for “All The Things You Are.” Strong, solid and alluring; would love to see this band when they hit LA.