Tim Ray Trio: Windows

The Tim Ray Trio supplied the spirited accompaniment on Kindred Spirits (Whaling City Sound, 2016), behind saxophonists Greg Abate and the legendary Phil Woods. But they got the chance to step out—sax men taking a break—with a peppery take on Kurt Weill's classic "Speak Low," which serves as a preview of sorts for the Tim Ray Trio's Windows.

Ray, and his cohorts, bassist John Lockwood and drummer Mark Walker, bounce into a joyful opening track, Duke Ellington's "I'm Beginning To Se the Light," a tune that sparkles in the trio's hands. They move into a radiant take on Thelonious Monk's "Monk's Dream," and slide from there into a fluid, pensive reading of Herbie Hancock's "Toys."

Windows is, in large part, a tribute to Ray's heroes: Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, jazz pianists who have take the art of the trio to the highest level. He also includes his original "DE-Train," a madcap nod to Ellington's "Take the A Train," and "Joy," a Tim Ray original, a lovely, reverent piece of music with a subtle, whispering accompaniment from Walker and Lockwood.

There's a rollicking, down home version of Lyle Lovett's "I've Been To Memphis" (Ray worked in Lovett's band), followed by a scintillating cover of Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance," leading into an impressionist take on the Chick Corea-penned title tune.

Windows is an exuberant immersion into a set of classic jazz compositions written by some of the stars of the art form some, played with a zestful grace by the Tim Ray Trio.