Denny Zeitlin - Live At The Trident (2014)

Pianist Denny Zeitlin's third Columbia release is a live session recorded during a break from his internship as a psychiatrist. With bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Jerry Granelli, it's clear that Zeitlin didn't ignore his jazz chops in spite of the long hours required of him in medicine. A lively take of "St. Thomas" and a wild free improvisation around "What Is This Thing Called Love?" are notable, but the premiere of his lovely ballad "Quiet Now" (which became a favorite of Bill Evans), heard in an unusually long arrangement, and another original, "Carole's Waltz," leave the most lasting impressions. Long out of print and deserving of reissue on CD, this collectible is worth searching for far and wide. -- Ken Dryden