Roberta Piket: One For Marian: Celebrating Marian McPartland

A young, unrecorded artist is asked to share her talents, sitting in a chair that had been warmed by Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Brad Mehldau, Mary Lou Williams, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea and Dizzy Gillespie to name just a few of the legends who graced Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz series. It says a great deal about Roberta Piket, that McPartland would welcome her into the fold of this company and now Piket pays tribute to her host with One For Marian: Celebrating Marian McPartland.

Piket, from a musical family and a pianist from early childhood, has release ten albums as a leader or co-leader. A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, she has studied with Fred Hersch, Jim McNeely, and Richie Beirach. While the majority of her recorded work has been solo or smaller groups, she is clearly at home in this larger formation.

The sextet includes saxophonist/flautist Steve Wilson, a veteran sideman who has played with Dave Holland and Corea and reed player Virginia Mayhew whose diverse resume runs from Cab Calloway to Frank Zappa. Trumpeter Bill Mobley is an excellent sideman having played with Kenny Barron and Christian McBride. Bassist, and occasional pianist, }}Harvie S}} is the best know member of the group with several releases as a leader and projects with Thad Jones, Gil Evans, Paul Motian and Sheila Jordan. Rounding out the group is drummer Billy Mintz, previously a long-time member of Alan Broadbent's Trio.

One For Marian is comprised of six McPartland compositions and two original tracks. The harmonious "Ambiance" opens the album on a somewhat dark note but Piket's own tribute—the title track—follows with an exuberant and uplifting fête of the late pianist. A particular highlight is Karrin Allyson's affecting duet with Piket on "Twilight World." Piket's other composing contribution "Saying Goodbye" is plaintive without being overly sentimental while "Kaleidoscope" closes the set with a fiery improvisation that involves all the players.

It's not likely anyone could do justice to McPartland's compositions more effectively than Piket has here. These are arrangements that are rich, full of life and reflect McPartland's diverse tastes covering artists from John Coltrane to the Beatles and Piket captures the measure of McPartland's work in these handsomely prepared pieces. One For Marian: Celebrating Marian McPartland is intelligent and versatile, full of exceptional solo work throughout.