Dave Hanson: Blues Sky

Pianist Dave Hanson opens his Blue Sky with a joyful barnburner, "Two Masters," a tip of the hat to Bill Evans and Chick Corea, two of the biggest names in piano jazz. Hanson is probably best known for his work as composer-arranger and co-leader of Denver's H2 Big Band, but he pares things down on his Blues Sky album release, thanks in part to a weeklong artist-in-residence gig at Denver's Dazzle Jazz club, which allowed him to shape his sound for this small ensemble outing. Eight tunes are with rhythm section plus Wil Swindler's saxophone out front, and two are piano trio affairs, recorded live at Dazzles.

The previously-mentioned opener bounces joyfully, leaning more on the Corea side than in the often brooding and introspective Evans mode. Swindler's sax sounds hot to the touch and Hanson, bassist Mark Simon and drummer Paul Romaine keep things tight and snappy.

"Across the Bridge" pays tribute to civil rights champion John Lewis. The tune—carrying the same title as that of Lewis' memoir—has a determined forward momentum, with Hanson sounding particularly muscular in his percussive keyboard approach before he slips into a dazzling solo. "Ambrosian" is a tribute to trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire that pulls the fierce energy back to a lovely reverie.

Hanson has broad influences. His "Blues Sky" was written for Jimi Hendrix's "Up From The Skies," from the guitarist's second album, Axis: Bold as Love (Reprise, 1967), while "Dylan's Dream" was written with—you guessed it—Bob Dylan in mind.

The closer, "Muse Walk," does its stroll—almost a prance—on the sunny side of the street, wrapping things up on an optimistic note.