Jaki Byard: Family Man

Byard wrote the album’s opening tune as a bouncing Major Holley-type swinger. The bassist’s wordless vocals - in unison with bowed upright bass - create a lovely pattern that introduces the session’s family orientation. Two Ellington and Strayhorn piano trio ballads follow that with a setting made for just sitting around the house with nothing else to do on a rainy day. "L.H. Gatewalk" moves from slow rag to traditional stride piano while "Ballad to Louise," housed in a vibraphone/tenor saxophone duet, returns to emotional contemplation. The remainder of the session opts for the piano trio to paint excerpts from Byard’s "Family Suite." Inspirational in both its intentions and methods, Byard’s Family Man makes a welcome addition to the jazz collection.