Eugene Maslov With Ben Street And George Schuller - Autumn in New England (1994)

Maslov listened to and absorbed the messages of jazz piano greats Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Barron and other jazz masters such as Ella Fitzgerald while growing up in Novotroisk and has responded with his own highly personal vision. With recognition of Maslov’s remarkable jazz skills came opportunities to perform at the American Embassy with such musical luminaries as Pearl Bailey, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow and Louis Bellson. Maslov then moved to the USA and since has worked with many notables including Grover Washington Jr, Rebecca Paris and Alan Dawson while readying a career as a soloist and trio leader.

This, Maslov’s first American recording, finds him in explorations of Evans and the American songbook. His early classical training also steps for with delicious legato lines that spine line gossamer. The bassist and drummer were easy choices for Maslov; they are simply his favorite musicians. Ben Street and George Schuller have routinely set the jazz world on its ear as anchormen of the innovative modern big band Orange Then Blue. In this piano trio setting, they display an empathy that far transcends the usual session date.

Maslov offers vivid, wistful musical reminiscences of both Massachusetts and St Petersburg in the fall and Autumn in New England serves as a pastel salute to the possibilities of the piano trio.