Ahmad Jamal Blue Moon(2012) (jazz)(mp3@320)[rogercc][h33t]

AHMAD JAMAL BLUE MOON: THE NEW YORK SESSION
Released:14 Febuary 2012
Label: Jazz Village
Format: Mp3@320



Pianist Ahmad Jamal (a man even Miles Davis credited as a big influence) is now 81 – and he remains a genius at the art of motivic improvising, repeating a catchy theme (so listeners don't lose the plot) while transforming it with fresh melody. Here, Jamal combines eloquent originals with dazzling makeovers of American standards (Laura, Invitation, Gypsy and the title track), in the inspired company of Wynton Marsalis sidemen Reginald Veal (bass) and Herlin Riley (drums), with an incandescent Manolo Badrena on Latin percussion. Jamal's Autumn Rain opens the show with his trademark grandiloquent chords over a ticking rimshot groove, turning to rolling keyboard-length runs and a funk feel. Blue Moon is a classic firework display of silvery runs and arpeggios full of hints of the tune, the original I Remember Italy is a delicious, tender melody, and the jazz standby Woody 'n You is as vivacious a Latin dance as anything Jamal might have recorded in his early years. Sometimes his virtuosity takes Jamal over the top, but this session looks set to be one of his classics.



Tracklist:
1. Autumn Rain (07:38 )
2. Blue Moon (09:56)
3. Gypsy (05:14)
4. Invitation (13:14)
5. I Remember Italy (13:08 )
6. Laura (06:30)
7. Morning Mist (08:20)
8. This is the Life (07:09)
9. Woody'n You (04:56)


Ahmad Jamal (seated), recording at Avatar Studio in New York City, 2011. Behind him, from left: Manolo Badrena, Reginald Veal, Seydou Barry, Catherine Vallon-Barry, Herlin Riley.

Personnel:
Ahmad Jamal - piano
Reginald Veal - double bass
Herlin Riley - drums
Manola Badrena - percussion

Recorded at Avatar Studios, New York City, New York, USA, October 2011