Pianist Allen returns to front an album after a six year hiatus, this time with Jack DeJohnette and Dave Holland rounding out the trio. A set of mostly originals, she highlights her diverse stylistic influences with covers of songs by Bud Powell, Mal Waldron and Billy Strayhorn. A record to please anyone who loves contemporary jazz piano.
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Concert in the Garden Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra 2004 [Artists Share]
Grammy-winning record that proves 1994's Evanescence was no fluke. Here the Gil Evans protégé offers up a taste of Brazil through a set of complex moodswings, all topped off with a dash of flamenco on the brilliant closing epic 'Buleria, Solea y Rumba'. The record shook up the industry by achieving success exclusively through online marketing.
Day is Done Brad Mehldau Trio 2005 [Nonesuch]
With a new drummer, Jeff Ballard, in tow pianist Mehldau lashes out with one of his liveliest sets to date. Consisting mainly of pop covers, the record is an outstanding example of this type of jazz set. The Beatles, Burt Bacharach, Paul Simon and Nick Drake all get the once over - with a couple of fine originals proving a point in the middle.
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Reimagining Vijay Iyer 2005 [Savoy]
Pianist Vijay Iyer and regular collaborator Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto let their Indian cultural heritage shine through in a densely riveting concoction of explorative music. Despite its complexities, Iyer's music is surprisingly accessible. An all-original set save for the creative version of John Lennon's 'Imagine' to close things out.
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Zep Tepi Randy Weston & his African Rhythms Trio 2006 [Random Chance]
Even though pushing 80 pianist Weston shows he is not out of rhythm yet. This is a more-than-pleasing revisiting of some of his better known works, all set in a basic trio format with African percussionist Neil Clarke and bassist Alex Blake. With some of his earlier work not so easy to find, snap this one up for a topnotch look at this fine artist.
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Time Lines Andrew Hill 2006 [Blue Note]
At 68 years old iconoclastic pianist Hill finds himself back on Blue Note where he made the classic Point of Departure. While the music takes the odd twist and turn, overall the eight original compositions here sound comparatively relaxed. Another Blue Note bonus, Hill's reunion with trumpeter Charles Tolliver works exceptionally well.
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River: The Joni Letters Herbie Hancock 2007 [Verve]
With Wayne Shorter and Dave Holland in support it is not surprising that this set of ten reinterpretations of Joni Mitchell compositions from jazz piano legend Herbie Hancock is musically superb. Some fans however might question the choice of vocalists - with Tina Turner, Norah Jones and Leonard Cohen all sounding a little confounded.
Tyner is one of a host of jazz veterans who has worked out that in the modern age you can produce and distribute your own music and still make money. This mostly-original live set shows why Tyner is one of the greatest jazz pianists ever, having lost little of the superb skill that made him a key member of John Coltrane's classic 1960s quartet.
