Carol Robbins - Jazz Play (2005)

One of the best (and the few) jazz harp soloists, Carol Robbins on Jazz Play also proves to be a talented songwriter. Several of her originals, particularly such lyrical ballads as "Still Light," "Darcy's Waltz," and "Emilia," deserve to catch on as standards. Her harp playing is as fluent as any harpist alive (and any harpist since Dorothy Ashby), and she blends in well on various selections with tenor and soprano saxophonist Bob Sheppard, trumpeter Steve Huffsteter, guitarist Larry Koonse, and the rhythm section. The standards are well chosen, too, with John Lewis' "Skating in Central Park" being a highlight. This set is a delight and arguably Carol Robbins' finest recording to date. ~Scott Yanow