Jazz
Tremendous trio work from pianist Maurice Vander -- one of the first great French jazz talents of the postwar years, and a player who could give back anything the Americans had to offer on the piano during the 50s! Vander's got a style here that's as fluid as some of the bigger-name pianists in the US, but he's also got a keen ear open towards more modern phrasing on his instrument -- a style that's informed by bop, but not as directly boppish as some of his European counterparts at the time -- quick on the changes, but never just doing so for sake of flourish or show. There's a warmth here that comes out even when Vander's at his technical best -- a freely imaginative approach that's always on the money, and always swinging throughout -- thanks to tight rhythm backing from Benoit Quersin on bass and Jacques David on drums. CD brings together volumes 1 and 2 of Vander's 10" Piano Jazz albums for the Vega label -- with 12 tracks that include "How About You", "Strike Up The Band", "Nearness Of You", "I'll Remember April", "Pennies From Heaven", "My Funny Valentine", "Get Happy", "One Bass Hit", and "Autumn In New York". |
