By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Puzzle
Only
longtime jazz fans are likely to know who Mitchel Forman is; I do, because he
was the pianist who performed with Gerry Mulligan — in both his big band and
the quartet — and, later, with Stan Getz. Those were all great, great
units.
Forman
also was part of the cadre recorded on the Live
At Newport album from the 1980 Newport Jazz Festival. He has toured with
Phil Woods, Freddie Hubbard, Mel Torme, Carla Bley, Diane Schuur and Astrud
Gilberto. (It’s worth noting that vocalists love him.)
Forman assembled the first of his own groups in 1985, and he continues
to produce his own albums. This release — which features Kevin Axt on bass, and
Steve Hass on drums — is his newest effort.
The
operative terms that apply to Forman are swinging, straight-ahead jazz; blazing
keyboard speed; precision and tastefulness. Both members of his rhythm section
fit in beautifully. Axt, who accompanied Tierney Sutton for years, is one of
the best bassists working; Hass is a vocalist’s dream, supporting and never
intruding.
The
menu includes a dozen tunes: Some are new, but the oldies really stand out. The
trio’s interpretation of “What Is This Thing Called Love” is sensational; complimentary
melodic lines and meter changes put a wonderful shine on this great standard. “Bounce,”
using the chord changes of “I Got Rhythm,” is done at a race-horse tempo that’ll
blow your hair back.
Frankly,
every track demonstrates this trio’s talent and cohesiveness.
This
definitely is not background jazz,
and you won’t be able to take your ears off it. Please ... more, more, more!
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