Jazz Articles about Oliver Von Essen

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Oliver Von Essen: Shanghai Reflections

by John Barron
June 28, 2007

German-born pianist Oliver Von Essen approaches the piano trio format from a contemporary perspective, with affection to past innovations. Inspired by his time spent in China, Shanghai Reflections draws from Von Essen's years of sideman experience on the New York scene, as both a pianist and organist, to create a high-spirited collection of original, straight-ahead jazz with the help of bassist Donald Jackson and drummer Ronnie Williams.

The disc's eight tracks, all composed by Von Essen, are well-constructed vehicles for ...