Jazz Song of the Day

Bill Anschell is steadily gaining a following for his book Benched. It's filled with clever jazz jokes and satirical commentary. Regardless of his joyful sense of humor, listeners should take his live performances on piano quite seriously. They feature striking chord voicings, a sensitive touch across the keys, subtle interplay with his collaborators, and a pristine recorded sound. Traditional jazz fans may find Anschell and his trio’s interpretations of ballad standards to be especially engaging. Once you’ve enjoyed that sound,explore his more adventurous work, which incorporates funky solos and electronic/guitar swells, for a futuristic sound that still swings. Three samples are: the jagged “Ambulator," the yearning “Gentle Persuasion" (starting at 5:53) and the gritty “Faster Than the Speed of Mildew" (12:42). For more conversation with Anschell, stream the interview Bill Anschell: Unearthing Jazz's Improbable Solutions

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