Among musicians, Billy Mintz has a reputation as an excellent drummer. But it turns out that he’s also a composer, and pianist Roberta Piket, who also happens to be his wife, is the right person to showcase his talent for writing lovely melodies. On the perfectly titled Domestic Harmony, Piket presents her husband with the gift of ten solo renditions of his original compositions. As she notes in her liner essay, his tunes “have an open quality which gives the performer the freedom to put forth her own viewpoint.” Her assured touch at the piano and her musical imagination stand her in good stead for this thoroughly enjoyable program. Mintz’s tunes come from a variety of inspirations, from the drum sticking pattern that informs the upbeat groove of Shmear to the look of a New York City sidewalk that led to Looking Down at the Stars. Many of these pieces have been performed on Mintz’s three CD’s as a leader, but this is a good opportunity to hear them stripped down to their essence. It’s a beautifully conceived and executed program, originally intended as a private recital for Mintz. Piket wasn’t thinking of releasing it until after the whole project was complete, but now we can all join her in wishing Billy Mintz a very happy birthday!
Thirteenth Note TNR-012; Roberta Piket (p; vcl on *); Paramus, NJ, no dates indicated; Ghost Sanctuary/ Beautiful You/ Looking Down at the Stars/ Shmear/ Flight/ Destiny*/ Your Touch/ Blinds Eye/ Ugly Beautiful/ Cannonball; 54:28. www.robertajazz.com
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