John Lee: Second Wind

Second Wind, which, as the title indicates, is John Lee's sophomore recording, is a vivid example of the art of the trio featuring the estimable rhythm section Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. It had long been Lee's dream to play with these two legends and the result is a collection of favourites and some new material that swings with both vigour and subtle intimacy.

The opening track is "It's A Blue World," written by George Forrest and Robert Wright. The Four Freshmen popularized the tune in the early 1950s. In a brisk rendition of this number, Lee sets the tone for the album as he gambols over the keys with fluid precision. The rock-solid foundation laid down by Washington and Washington provides the perfect complement to Lee's pianism. Composer Jerome Kern asked the self-reflective question, "Why Was I Born?" Lee provides the answer in his sensitive and lyrical approach to the piece. Bassist Peter Washington takes a solo filled with warm and resonant bass lines.

Lee's title track is next up, and it swings along effortlessly. Bassist Washington is again given solo space that features his strong technique. "Moonlight In Vermont" is a popular song written by John Blackburn and Karl Suessdorf and was a particular favourite of Frank Sinatra who performed it on five of his live albums. The arrangement used by Lee is by Ahmad Jamal. Not surprisingly, this version is filled with Jamal's mannerisms, such as single-line playing in the upper register, stop-and-start tempos, space usage and understatement.

The traditional Swedish folk song "Dear Old Stockholm" gained jazz recognition when it was included in the Miles Davis's Quintet's ' Round About Midnight (Columbia, 1957). Kenny Washington's brushwork is filled with well-placed accents and dynamic shifts that support Lee's improvisations. The disc closes with another Lee original, "Widow's Remorse." It is a mournful ballad, thoughtfully constructed and filled with Lee's delicate touch and phrasing.

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