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A pair of legendary pianos, two extraordinary pianists and, between them, a breathtaking singleness of groove and invention. Like no other great American jazz pianist today, Larry's playing moves people's hearts and feet. Tony has the same status in Italy. more... |
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My friend and superb pianist, Walter Davis, Jr., led relatively few recording sessions throughout his career — despite scores of dates with jazz giants Bird, Dizzy, and countless others more... |
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Ever hear a duo create the impact of a symphony? Larry and Paul
do just that. With only piano and drums, they break through to
a breathtaking new place in music, a space where jazz and classical
and improv become indistinguishable. more... |
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Paul Murphy, the legendary Jimmy Lyons' blazingly fast drummer, inspired this history-making session — an inspired depths in Larry Willis' piano you'll hear nowhere else. more... |
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Larry’s on-fire piano leads a world-class quintet in a soaring,
swinging exploration of matters of the soul and spirit. Slide Hampton
says, “Man, Larry’s playin’ like he’s on a mission!”
more... |
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The evocative balladry and quiet swing of a great piano trio—like
Bill Evans’ or our own Frank Kimbrough’s —really
gets to me. That's why I was knocked out by Gerard. He locks effortlessly
with his trio mates, Jay Anderson and Jeff Hirschfield. more... |
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If you’re a fan of piano greats like Mary Lou Williams, Dorothy
Donegan, Art Tatum and Chris Anderson, Consuela’ll be right
up your alley. With her drummer, Sangoma Everett, she does Ellington,
Waller, Kern and Berlin to pianistic perfection—and writes
ensnaring originals. more... |
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If you don’t know John, you’re missing one of the greatest
living jazz pianists. His originals are dramatic and infectiously
swinging— deeply moving ballads, delicately swinging waltzes,
and out and out cookers. more... |
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Rebecca’s all star sextet—including Jack Walrath, Steve
Novosel, and Steve Berrios—does her proud. Sonically, a dazzling
percussion soundscape envelopes the ringing warmth of her Steinway.
The woody resonance of the plucked bass is perfect; the trumpet’s
staccato attack is two feet in front of you. more... |
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I love the warm romantic
blend of piano, flute and bass. If you love flute ballads, you’ll
wear the aluminum off this CD. Hicks’ impassioned solos are
superb; Walter Booker’s bass adds delicate, dancing-on-tiptoes
rhythms. more... |
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Mellow jazz and my favorite mood CD: lyrical and powerfully moving.
I hear a warm, dark-toned, soulful trumpeter—Mingus’ last
trumpet star—making magic with the master of romantic jazz
piano. more... |
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I’m still blown away by the majesty and quietly swinging power
of Larry’s solo piano on this, his first Mapleshade session.
For 20 years, he’d wanted to record his jazz interpretations
of the church music he grew up with. Here’s the fruit of those
creative years. more... |
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Chris is an AMAZING pianist. I’ve never been so moved by ballads.
He’s played with legends (Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Sonny
Rollins, Gene Ammons, Clifford Brown, Stan Getz) and he’s become
a legend. more... |
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I have a hell of a time finding quiet, mellow, introspective piano
that’s not elevator music. Thank goodness Shirley Horn dropped
this Trio off right at my door step. She told me Frank’s slow
and passionate ballads could make her cry. more... |
