Like Russell Malone or Kenny Burrell, Peter Bernstein is one of those guys that simply can’t play a note that doesn’t swing with sophistication. He’s had a career as a sideman with Jimmy Cobb as well as his most famous and long term team with Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart. Here, he serves the mainstream plate with pianist Sullivan Fortner (known for his work with Cecile McLoren Salvant), drummer Joe Farnsworth (of the late Harold Mabern) and the reliable bassist Peter Washington, of Bill Charlap, Jazz Messenger and Tommy Flanagan fame. Together, you get a collection of Bernstein originals and jazz covers that is like putty in the hands of a master potter.
Bernstein revisits his “Simple As That” with a relaxed swing, while waltzing the blues wo Farnsworth’s classy cymbal guidance on the title track. Solos by the guitarist and Fourtnier are clever and witty throughout, with Bernstein giving allusions to Grant Green on the burner “Harbor No Illusions”. He gives a gorgeous solo intro to a poignant “We’ll Be Together Again” while he and Fortner produce lovely fragrances on “Empty Streets”. Fortner is hip and crisp for his intro to “Con Alma” as well as on the calypso’d read of Sonny Rollins’ joyful “Newark News”, and sizzles a samba for “Blood Wolf Moon Blues”.
I caught Bernstein in Denver just before the COVID lockdown. This disc makes me realize what we’re all missing.