William Menefield (18 at the time of this recording) is a pianist from a musical family in the Cincinnati area. This debut album includes piano trio pieces and some combo sides aided by trumpeter Mike Wade and Kevin Engel on tenor sax.
The session includes bebop and standards, as well as four original pieces. The original pieces stand out, for an album of this type, because they are intelligently crafted and flow with a lyricism that recalls the music of Tadd Dameron. Menefield’s piano as well belies his age, as it displays a deft sensitivity and never fails to swing.
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