Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Willie Myette Trio: ...This Is Jazz

91

Willie Myette Trio: ...This Is Jazz

By

Sign in to view read count
Willie Myette Trio: ...This Is Jazz
While the title of this new release is accurate enough in its way, Rhode Island–based pianist Willie Myette is far too self–effacing. He could have more properly called it . . .This Is Jazz (The Way It Was Meant to Be Played by a Trio). Comparisons? Well, even though Myette doesn’t sound much like Ahmad Jamal, I am reminded when listening to this tight–knit and near–telepathic group of Jamal’s classic trio with bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Vernell Fournier. I’ve a hunch these guys have worked together before. If they haven’t, they certainly are quick studies. The interplay among them is as tidy and secure as one could hope for from any trio. Myette is an assertive modernist with an awesome right hand who doesn’t back down when the keyboard needs a good spanking, but he can be exceedingly warm and gentle too, as on the ballads “Blame It on My Youth,” “Ella’s Song” (written for his daughter) or Rodgers and Hart’s poignant “Little Girl Blue.” Myette breezes through the up-tempo numbers (“If I Should Lose You,” Autumn Leaves,” “The Night We Called It a Day”) with ease, as do Carlsen and Menna. As one can appreciate from the songs already mentioned, Myette’s choice of “not–so–standard standards,” as he refers to them, is exemplary. Although I find it hard to listen to “Be My Love” without thinking of Mario Lanza, Myette deflects such deeply ingrained memories by playing it as a brisk samba. This brings us to the closing “Hymn to Freedom,” an Oscar Peterson composition that includes a charming guest appearance by the JazzKids children’s choir. The JazzKids teaching program is Myette’s idea, and since launching it he has introduced to audiences in his area Jazz performers as young as six years of age. If this disc helps move that program forward, so much the better. But Myette’s swashbuckling trio needs no inducement beyond the music to recommend it; its expertise alone should be convincing enough for any well–tuned ears.

Track Listing

If I Should Lose You; Blame It on My Youth; Autumn Leaves; Ella

Personnel

Willie Myette, piano; Mark Carlsen, bass; Jack Menna, drums.

Contact: JazzKids Records, 800

Album information

Title: ...This Is Jazz | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: JazzKids Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.