Although I dig large aggregations of any sort in music, and am not especially partial to solo string instruments, I have a special attraction to solo jazz piano. It’s not just because I majored in piano, but I find when a performer puts himself or herself on the high wire – improvising without any fellow bandmates – it adds a special excitement and really shows the performer’s chops with a clarity not experienced otherwise.
Frank Kimbrough reveals in his own notes that for five years he played solo piano at a joint in NYC’s Greenwich Village, where he learned a lot about music. Lately he’s been playing in groups, including Maria Schneider’s band, but for this session decided on a solo project. Kimbrough comes from a background of mentoring by Paul Bley, Andrew Hill and Shirley Horn. He feels the solo route is a natural way “to abound in newness,” and that’s what he does on this enjoyable CD. Five of the nine tracks are his originals, and the others partake of three jazz geniuses: Ellington, Monk and Paul Motian. It’s difficult to pin down Kimbrough’s style; it’s modern but not atonal, groovy but not overly funky, and full of unexpected turns of phrase that keep it fresh and unhackneyed. The Paul Bley spareness is definitely there. Frank is not afraid to take extremely slow tempi even if the swing element is dissipated and it begins to sound like a Satie piano piece. The piano sound is exceptional.
TrackList: It Should’ve Happened a Long Time Ago, Quickening, Coming on the Hudson, Air, Wig Wise, Three Chords, The Spins, Jackie-ing, Ca’Lina.
– John Henry
