Kayo Hiraki: Manhattan Sunset

Like a fine lemon sorbet, Manhattan Sunset, the sixth album from pianist and veteran NY presence Kayo Hiraki, is that refreshing, necessary pause between courses that enables you to fully enjoy the vast jazz menu.

With an airy, elegant touch, tangible zeal and seasoned respect for her art, Hiraki leads her tried-and-true sidemen, bassist Patrick O'Leary, drummer Eric Halvorson and guests saxophonist Nick Hempton, acclaimed guitarist Russell Malone and Italian harmonica player Giuseppi Millici (whose playing flows like the Seine itself, literally stealing the show for six minutes on Hiraki's tender "June In Paris") through a twelve-song set of jazz's many twists and turns. Confident throughout, Kayo's tight, thoughtful musical constructions allow each player to shine (O'Leary is particularly verbal, along with Kayo, on the waltzing "Tarte Aux Fraises"; Malone on the wistful "Komorebi.") I'm sure many of the regulars at Arturo's in NY will get up to dance to the sweet swing of "Gorilla in Safari Motel" then stop to marvel as the trio brings it all to the fore on the beautifully languid Japanese folk song "Kojyo no Tsuki."