LA-based pianist Bill Cunliffe is a member of a club that I’ve named “GIPP,” meaning “Genetically Incapable of Playing Poorly.” The select group includes people like Eric Reed and Alan Broadbent among the living and Hank Jones or Tommy Flanagan among the deceased. He’s released material before in a big band format that one a Grammy, as well as a large/small group that did some lovely arrangements of Bill Evans material. Here, he displays his perfect taste and style in a trio format with Martin Wind/b and Tim Horner/dr and they go through a clever mix of originals and standards. His own “Sweet Andy” and “Blue Notes” have a graceful flow to them, and Cunliffe’s touch on the ivories is a wonder to hear. He picks some clever material to cover, “One” which was made famous from Three Dog Night way back when, and it works magnificently, as well as Bjork’s “All Is Full Of Love.” The interplay by the three gents is as sleek as a baton passing on an Olympic relay race, and no one breaks stride. A winner for the “GIPP”er!
Azica Records
www.azica.com