A diving accident in June 2008 has robbed the world of one of its most talented jazz pianists--Swedish-born Esbjörn Svensson. Svensson's trio has achieved legendary status in Europe, in the process proving that jazz doesn't need to continually reinvent itself in order to sound fresh and vibrant. A superb follow-up to 2003's Seven Days of Falling.
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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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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.
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The Bright Mississippi Allen Toussaint 2009 [Nonesuch]
Take a 70-year-old rock and roll hall of famer from New Orleans and it is a sure bet he knows something about jazz. This record is simply saturated with laidback piano that cleverly infuses classic New Orleans sounds into a modern jazz context - with able support from clarinetist Don Byron, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and guitarist Marc Ribot.
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Historicity Vijay Iyer 2009 [ACT]
This artist continues to shine brighter with every album he makes. Of Indian heritage, Bay-area pianist Vijay Iyer has always attracted a host of critical acclaim for his inventive playing. With a stripped down trio including Stephan Crump on bass and drummer Marcus Gilmore he concocts a 21st century aural display that never lets up.
