Pianist Dave Kikoski has more than 15 years under his belt as a member of drummer Roy Haynes’ band. On the road with Haynes and in other settings, he has developed strong skills as a musical interpreter and conversationalist. Both are at the heart of Inner Trust, a collaboration with longtime Haynes bandmate Ed Howard on bass and the do-more-with-less drummer Leon Parker.
While he puts his own stamp on a range of standards and pays homage to John Coltrane (“Some Other Blues”), Thelonious Monk (“We See”) and Bill Evans, (“Two Lonely People”), the leader’s three originals-“Mirical,” “Inner Trust” and “Winnie’s Garden” (a variation on “Sweet Georgia Brown”)-hold even more interest. Their freshness and mystery bring the band’s intensity up a notch. For good measure, Kikoski goes solo on one tune, a rich version of “Once Upon a Summertime.” All in all, a creative workout.
David Kikoski Trio: Inner Trust
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