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Michael Weiss: Persistence
ByWorking in the talent-rich environment of New York City, affords one the opportunity to draw upon that ready-made pool of players and establish a formidable jazz band as Weiss does here. Ably supported by tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander and the bass-and-drum duo of Paul Gill and Peter Van Nostrand, provides the pianist a certain assurance that the final product will be more than appealingit certainly is.
On tap here is a blend of four originals and four standards from the likes of Jimmy Van Heusen, Fats Waller, Thelonious Monk and Antonio Carlos Jobim. If there's one track that illuminates and captures the spirit of this recording it is "Apres Vous," where the pianist's 16-bar improvisational piano vamp combine with swinging Latin rhythms and Alexander's marvelous solo outburst, sets the stage for what's on tap.
The title track and "Second Thoughts" open up the music in mid-tempo form highlighting the cohesiveness of this quartet on a couple of traditional contemporary charts. Van Heusen's oft-recorded standard "Only the Lonely" is one of the softer moments of the session where Weiss's delicate touch on the keys and Nostrand's warm brush strokes combine for an absolutely beautiful rendition of this ballad.
Waller's feisty "Jitterbug Waltz" turns the music in the direction of perky, up-tempo swing. Monk's "Epistrophy" continues the mood before the band engages the gentler side again on Jobim's classic "Once I Loved." The quartet brings down the curtains with "Birthday Blues," a steamy blues original that, in addition to featuring the leader's sizzling solos, also showcases excellent bass lines from Gill and some power play from the saxophonist to close out the album in dynamic fashion.
For whatever reason pianist Michael Weiss has chosen not to record as a leader as often as he could have in his distinguished 40-year career, Persistence is testament to how intriguing, exciting and vibrant his music is. Perhaps a persistent call for more, may entice this pianist to grace us with another release in the near future.
Track Listing
Persistence; Second Thoughts; Apres Vous; Only the Lonely; Jitterbug Waltz; Epistrophy; Once I Loved; Birthday Blues.
Personnel
Michael Weiss
pianoEric Alexander
saxophone, tenorPaul Gill
bass, acousticPete Van Nostrand
drumsAlbum information
Title: Persistence | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Cellar Live
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Michael Weiss
Album Review
Edward Blanco
Persistence
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Jimmy Van Heusen
Fats Waller
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Antonio Carlos Jobim
Cellar Live
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