John Donaldson - Music Box (2006) flac

Tracklist

01. Trinkle Tinkle
02. Light Blue
03. Petrucciani (Solo)
04. Unknown
05. Pearl's Song
06. What's New
07. Dis Here
08. Music Box
09. Hey There
10. We Will Meet Again (Solo)

British jazz pianist John Donaldson got a bit of exposure in the U.S. through his CDs for Koch, though most of his recordings have been for European labels. This trio session was made in Italy with bassist Oli Hayhurst and drummer Asaf Sirkis, mixing familiar jazz compositions with a few originals by the leader. Both Thelonious Monk pieces, "Trinkle, Tinkle" and "Light Blue," are played with off-center percussion, while he sticks to a conventional approach for the shimmering ballad "What's New." Bobby Timmons' gospel-infused "Dis Here" is in good hands with the trio, with Donaldson's understated yet swinging soul-jazz arrangement. Donaldson's sensitive, lyrical solo rendition of Bill Evans' melancholy "We Will Meet Again" is superb. Each of the pianist's compositions leaves a lasting impression, particularly the moving salute to Michel Petrucciani simply called "Petrucciani," along with the intricate miniature "Music Box." The rollicking setting of "Hey There" (from the Broadway musical Pajama Game) is also a nice surprise.

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