Jon Mayer Trio - Round Up The Usual Suspects (1995)

Considering his talent and accomplishments, it seems strange that pianist Jon Mayer is not better known and that this was his recording debut as a leader. He recorded with Jackie McLean and John Coltrane during 1957-1958, played in Paris with Chet Baker, later performed regularly with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan, and the Manhattan Transfer (among others), and in more recent times worked with Les McCann's Magic Band. For this session, the hard loop-based pianist enlisted a pair of notable players to complete his trio: bassist Ron Carter and drummer Billy Higgins. Mayer performs his original title tune (a medium-tempo blues) plus Tom Harrell's "Because I Love You" and eight superior standards. The interplay among the musicians is quite impressive, the music always swings (even on the slower tempos), and Mayer holds his own with his famous sidemen on a program that includes such tunes as "Soul Eyes," "When I Fall in Love," and "Speak Low." Overall, this is an impressive effort. -- Scott Yanow