Jazz Articles

Brian Piper Trio: TerrrRIFFic!

by Jack Bowers
March 2, 2008

Pianist Brian Piper is one of those local heroes who is venerated in his little corner of the world (in this case, North Texas) but is scarcely appreciated elsewhere. He should, of course, be far better known--his talent alone commands it--and an album such as this, on which Piper displays his unerring taste and remarkable versatility, certainly won't harm the cause.

Piper has chops to burn, as he shows on Ellington's “C Jam Blues," Juan Tizol's “Caravan," Chick Corea's “Armando's ...

Piperville: Return to the 90th Floor...

by Jack Bowers
June 18, 2006

Piperville is a trio, but not just any trio. To begin with, a threesome with Jeff Hamilton on drums and Lynn Seaton on bass is already two-thirds of the way to Jazz heaven. Add pianist Brian Piper, one of the busiest musicians in the Dallas, Texas, area, and the group is no less than one king-size step closer.

It's a pleasure simply to listen to all the wonderful things Hamilton does as accompanist, every stroke and accent precise and tasteful, ...

Various Artists: Circa 1960

by Jack Bowers
June 22, 2005

This is an interesting album, historically speaking, as the first five tracks are taken from Gene Hall's final concert as director of what was then the Laboratory Dance Band A at North Texas State College (now the One O'Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas). The date was April 27, 1959, and the admission price was fifty cents. The (almost indiscernible) emcee is Dick Martin, then host of WWL Radio-New Orleans' “Moonglow with Martin. Among those in the ...