Home » Jazz Articles » Ted Rosenthal: The King and I

Ted Rosenthal: The King and I

By Joel Roberts
April 16, 2007
Sign in to view read count

There was a trend back in the '50s and '60s for jazz artists including Andre Previn, Oscar Peterson, Stan Kenton and Dave Brubeck to record albums based on Broadway musicals. But apart from an obscure 1958 album by Wilbur Harden, The King and I, one of the era's most acclaimed musicals, was overlooked.

Pianist Ted Rosenthal corrects that oversight on his new CD on the Japanese Venus label, a beautifully realized treatment of nine tunes from the 1951 Rodgers and Hammerstein show. Rosenthal, a talented mainstream pianist, best known perhaps for playing in saxophonist Gerry Mulligan's last group, has a crisp sound and precise approach that captures the essence of classic songs like "Shall We Dance, "Getting to Know You and "Hello, Young Lovers. He also has the vision to reimagine lesser songs like "I Whistle A Happy Tune, begun as a loping blues before changing tempo to finish up with some virtuosic high-speed soloing.

It doesn't hurt either that Rosenthal's joined by a dream rhythm section of George Mraz (bass) and Lewis Nash (drums). Together they make this a fitting and long overdue tribute to one of Broadway's best musicals from some of jazz's finest musicians.

Track Listing

My Lord and Master; Shall We Dance; I Have Dreamed; I Whistle a Happy Tune; We Kiss in a Shadow; Getting to Know You; Something Wonderful; March of the Siamese Children; Hello Young Lovers.

Personnel

Ted Rosenthal: piano; George Mraz: bass; Lewis Nash: drums.

Album information

Title: The King and I | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Venus Records

Post a comment about this album

FOR THE LOVE OF JAZZ

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.