Michael Kanan - The gentleman is a dope (2002)

This is the second recording by the Michael Kanan trio, featuring Kanan on piano, Ben Street on bass, and Tim Pleasant on drums. Kanan has been playing with Street and Pleasant individually in various situations for ten years. As a trio, the group has played together since 1998. Their sound is that of a classic bebop trio, with plenty of interaction and plenty of space. Kanan has been strongly influenced by the music of pianist Lennie Tristano and his students, whose ideas and sound permeate Kanan's own trio, along with other influences including Thelonious Monk, Ahmad Jamal, and Hank Jones.

This new recording opens with a composition of Lee Konitz, and then proceeds through a repertoire of seldom played standards, a few of Kanan's original compositions, and closes with Monk's composition, "Thelonious".

The standards featured include songs by Alec Wilder, pianist/singer Jeri Southern, Irene Kitchings, and the title track by Rodgers & Hammerstein. The playing is lyrical and playful, swinging and honest. The listener is invited to take part in the music, rather than being overwhelmed by information. The session was superbly recorded by engineer James Farber, who captures a warm and truly acoustic sound.

Michael Kanan (p), Ben Street (b), Tim Pleasant (d)