Label:
Source: Peter Zak
Genre: Piano trio
GAB's Rating: ★★★★☆
The bar for piano trios that take on a set of standards sits so high that it might as well be the high jump competition at the Olympics. Not only does Keith Jarrett’s rapturous standards trio come immediately to mind, but close behind are pianists as diverse
as Bill Charlap, Kenny Barron, Fred Hersch and Ethan Iverson, to say nothing of the legendary trios led by Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson and many others.
The obvious question is: What are you going to bring the party?
For veteran pianist Peter Zak, the approach is truly unique, if not brave, given the format and the material. Zak put the band together specifically for the recording, and had never even played with bassist Jay Anderson (drummer Billy Drummond rounds out the trio). He held no rehearsals, picked some songs that weren’t in his own repertoire and recorded everything in one afternoon.
The results, particularly considering that background, are quite good, if not spectacular. Here, Zak steers a center course, sticking close to the melodies and not throwing his unfamiliar bandmates any surprising rhythmic or harmonic curveballs. These are solid, interesting pieces—things of beauty on their own, and things of beauty in this trio’s capable hands. James Hale
as Bill Charlap, Kenny Barron, Fred Hersch and Ethan Iverson, to say nothing of the legendary trios led by Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson and many others.
The obvious question is: What are you going to bring the party?
For veteran pianist Peter Zak, the approach is truly unique, if not brave, given the format and the material. Zak put the band together specifically for the recording, and had never even played with bassist Jay Anderson (drummer Billy Drummond rounds out the trio). He held no rehearsals, picked some songs that weren’t in his own repertoire and recorded everything in one afternoon.
The results, particularly considering that background, are quite good, if not spectacular. Here, Zak steers a center course, sticking close to the melodies and not throwing his unfamiliar bandmates any surprising rhythmic or harmonic curveballs. These are solid, interesting pieces—things of beauty on their own, and things of beauty in this trio’s capable hands. James Hale
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