Denny Zeitlin: Panoply

  Pianist Denny Zeitlin has worn a lot of musical hats since his debut in a trio format on Columbia in 1964. Over the years, he’s performed as a soloist, as leader of a trio, and, adding synthesizers, in a series of duets with percussionist George Marsh. Typically, these are discrete projects, but for his latest Sunnyside release, Panoply, he’s decided to program a lengthy CD with previously unissued music from a variety of sessions. Zeitlin’s latest trio features Buster Williams on bass and Matt Wilson on drums. They’re heard on four tracks that were performed in New York at Mezzrow’s, a 2019 gig that previously resulted in the Live At Mezzrow CD. The trio leads off the disc with a gently swinging version of Gershwin’s I Was Doing All Right. Next up is the heavily electronic Excursion, the first of five improvised duets with Marsh. The duets were selected from a decade of sessions held at Zeitlin’s home studio in California. As much as I love Zeitlin’s acoustic work, I’ve never really warmed up to the music that’s resulted from what Zeitlin describes as “a marvelous adventure.” But with the duos interspersed among the trio and solo selections, I expect that they will start to make more sense to me. The three solo pieces that are present were recorded at Zeitlin’s annual gig at the Piedmont Piano Company in December 2012. Among the standout tracks in this carefully selected and intelligently sequenced disc are the tender and boldly romantic solo treatment of Bill Lee’s Only One, the hyper-speed romp through Cherokee (another solo), the duo’s soothing A Raft, A River, and the trio’s emotional journey through Stordahl and Weston’s I Should Care. Panoply offers a heartily enjoyable listening experience. Definitely recommended. 

Sunnyside SSC 1741; Denny Zeitlin (p; p, hardware, & virtual synthesizer on duo selections) George Marsh (d, perc on duo selections) Buster Williams (b on trio selections) Matt Wilson (d on trio selections); solos, Oakland, CA, December 1,2012; duos, Kentfield, CA, 2013-2023; trios, NYC, May 3-4, 2019; I Was Doing All Right (trio)/ Excursion (duo)/ Only One (solo)/ Ambush (duo)/ Music Box (duo)/ Cherokee (solo)/ Regret (duo)/ Weirdo (trio)/ A Raft, A River (duo)/ Limburger Pie and Beeswax Crust (solo)/ I Should Care (trio)/ Johnny Come Lately; 77:32. sunnysiderecords.com

Jim Witzel Quartet:

  It doesn’t take very long to discern the compatibility and unified purpose of a group like the Jim Witzel Quartet. Except for a rather drab guitar-piano duet version of Paul Simon’s Old Friends, from Simon & Garfunkel’s Bookends (1968), the program on Breaking Through Gently is comprised of original compositions by guitarist Witzel and pianist Phil Aaron. On bass is Dan Feiszli, who also recorded and mixed the CD. The drummer is accomplished Bay Area stalwart Jason Lewis. Witzel has recorded infrequently since his debut on record with saxophonist Dave LeFebvre back in 1981. He’s been woodshedding and gigging with pianist Aaron since sometime in the Nineties while Aaron was in the Los Angeles area. Breaking Through Gently is the first documentation of their collaboration. Witzel’s clear tone and flowing solos mesh very nicely with Aaron’s sparkling solos and tasty comping. Feiszli and Lewis make a fine team, swinging hard from start to finish. The whole ethos of the music’s feeling can be summed by one of Aaron’s titles, Hello My Friend. Witzel and Aaron sound genuinely happy to be playing together, and that feeling comes through loud and clear. Recommended. 

Joplin Sweeney J&S 203; Jim Witzel (g) Phil Aaron (p) Dan Feiszli (b) Jason Lewis (d); Berkeley, CA, July 26-27, 2023; My Compass/ Firefly Waltz/ The Celebration/ Abjohn/ Hello My Friend/ The Little Dragon/ Old Friends/ Breaking Through Gently; 45:02. www.jimwitzelmusic.com

Day Dream: Duke And Strays Live

  It’s hard to go wrong with a program devoted to the works of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. On the eminently pleasing Duke And Strays Live, drummer Phil Haynes’ Day Dream trio is captured in performance at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. Beginning with the gentle ballad African Flower, the trio of Haynes, pianist Steve Rudolph and bassist Drew Gress elucidates the melodic contours of the music with flair and a deeply rooted sense of swing. The connection between Haynes and Gress goes all the way back to the drummer’s first album in 1986, and they’ve performed together on a wide range of projects since then. A pianist with a deft touch and a pleasing warmth to his improvising, Rudolph works beautifully with Gress and Haynes to illuminate these well-known compositions. Generally, the arrangements are direct and unfussy interpretations. Among the highlights are the extended treatment of Come Sunday, Strayhorn’s Lush Life featuring Gress’ rich arco introduction, and the closing medley of My Little Brown Book and the Ellington band’s theme song, Take The ‘A’ Train, played with exciting and unexpected shifts in tempo. The close-miked recording is especially kind to Haynes’ delicate cymbal work, though it leaves the audience sounding very far away. All in all, an extremely enjoyable release, quite happily recommended. 

Corner Store Jazz CRJ-0140+0141; Steve Rudolph (p) Drew Gress (b) Phil Haynes (d); Lewisburg, PA, September 10, 2023; Disc 1: African Flower; Perdido; Single Petal of a Rose/Sophisticated Lady; U.M.M.G.; Lush Life. Disc 2: Come Sunday; Rockin’ in Rhythm; T.G.T.T.; Lotus Blossom; My Little Brown Book/Take the ‘A’ Train. Total time: 77:27. cornerstorejazz.com