Bruce Barth - Live at Smalls (2025) Hi Res

Ah! The jazz piano trio! What could be more basic to the heart of soul of this great music?!? Pianist Bruce Barth, along with Vicente Archer/b and Rudy Royston/dr, deliver the goods on this disc that reflects their music from a two day run at the famed Greenwich Village club. Barth has a warm and post bop touch, showing a gentle and deft approach on tunes like “Yama” and the graceful “Peaceful Place.” His romantic fingers flow delicately on the extended solo intro to the lone standard “Good Morning Heartache” which then flows into an ocean of telepathic interplay with his teammates. Likewise the boppish “Almost Blues” and the spry and funky “Looking Up” spotlight the intimate relay between each guy, like a 6-4-3 double play. Nice tight little infield work here.