Kevin Fort: Everything I Love

The ghosts of pianists past inhabit the music of Kevin Fort. The Chicago-based piano man's third album release, Everything I Love, keeps a grip on the tradition with an eye to right now on this ten-tune workout that includes five engaging Fort originals and and five well-chosen standards, incuding the Cole Porter title tune, the Rodgers and Hart's "Spring Is Here," and Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now."

Those ghosts? Erroll Garner, Tommy Flanagan, maybe even Bud Powell. Then there is the Crescent City spirit on "Do You Know What It Means To New Orleans," which sounds like a show closer in a Bourbon Street bar, when lights are low. The trio goes about their thing with a way down south groove. At the same time, Fort's original, "Deceptive," goes with a more modern approach, with a stylish swagger, and Henry Nemo's "Don't Take Your Love From Me" showcases an update on the Bud Powell bounce, upbeat and optimistic ln spite of the lingering possibility of loss of romance in the air.

Fort's trio mates, bassist Joe Policastro and drummer John Deitemyer, offer strong, distinctive support rather than the fade into the background assistance, making Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now" play out with a sizzle and snap. The leader's original, "Winter Crescent," opens on an inward note, and rolls along on five minutes of understated beauty. Bill Evans may be looking on from the spirit world, as Red Garland gazes over his shoulder.

"Everything I Love" the tune, sounds, in Kevin Fort's hands, like the perfect show closer-spritely and up-tempo, light-stepping, leaving the audience members with some spring in their step.

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