Sublime: Honoring the Music of Hank Jones

Sublime: Honoring the Music of Hank Jones

ASIN: B000096FUB

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Geoff Keezer has matured in the presence of giants, first joining Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers at 18, then serving a lengthy apprenticeship with master bassist Ray Brown. Here, Keezer pays tribute to another great, Hank Jones, among the most musically astute pianists to ever play jazz and the senior member of the Detroit Jones clan that includes Elvin and Thad. Keezer's main inspiration here is the piano duo of Jones and the late Tommy Flanagan, and he's enlisted the aid of a series of fine pianists for the occasion: Kenny Barron, Chick Corea, Benny Green, and Mulgrew Miller. It's all at a high level, the pianists clearing drawing inspiration from one another as well as Jones' compositions. Among the real highlights is "Passing Time," the rolling rhythmic energy of Barron and Keezer springboarding them to fresh ideas. Miller and Keezer maintain a singing lightness on the lilting "Lullaby," while Corea uses "Intimidation" as a launch pad for some expansive free playing. Keezer also contributes two solo performances, showing his command of Jones' harmonic approach on the opening "Angel Face" and approaching the sublime on Jones' gorgeous title tune. --Stuart Broomer

Tracks:

Angel Face - Geoffrey Keezer
Hank's Blues - Benny Green
Passing Time - Kenny Barron
Time Warp - Chick Corea
Lullaby - Mulgrew Miller
Things Are So Pretty In The Spring - Benny Green
Sublime - Geoffrey Keezer
Favors - Kenny Barron
Alpha - Mulgrew Miller
Intimidation - Chick Corea

Amazon.com

Geoff Keezer has matured in the presence of giants, first joining Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers at 18, then serving a lengthy apprenticeship with master bassist Ray Brown. Here, Keezer pays tribute to another great, Hank Jones, among the most musically astute pianists to ever play jazz and the senior member of the Detroit Jones clan that includes Elvin and Thad. Keezer's main inspiration here is the piano duo of Jones and the late Tommy Flanagan, and he's enlisted the aid of a series of fine pianists for the occasion: Kenny Barron, Chick Corea, Benny Green, and Mulgrew Miller. It's all at a high level, the pianists clearing drawing inspiration from one another as well as Jones' compositions. Among the real highlights is "Passing Time," the rolling rhythmic energy of Barron and Keezer springboarding them to fresh ideas. Miller and Keezer maintain a singing lightness on the lilting "Lullaby," while Corea uses "Intimidation" as a launch pad for some expansive free playing. Keezer also contributes two solo performances, showing his command of Jones' harmonic approach on the opening "Angel Face" and approaching the sublime on Jones' gorgeous title tune. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

I've worn mine out.......2003-09-06

There are a lot of 5-star ratings thrown about here, but this one has one something going for it above many others of this genre - I want to hear this one every day. For me, the standout tracks are 03 - Passing Time(Duet with Kenny Barron, 05 - Lullaby(Duet with Mulgrew Miller) and 09 - Alpha(Duet with Mulgrew Miller). These are for simple listening pleasure. I really didn't know these artists before I heard Passing Time on a local jazz station, but this is outstanding stuff. Give it a try.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music