Pianist Kenny Barron is well-known as an extraordinarily accomplished player and a remarkably sensitive accompanist and soloist. His talent in leading a band has perhaps taken longer to achieve recognition, but the evidence is right here: His inherent musicality seems simply to spill over into all his colleagues, bringing them into true sync with his intentions. Those colleagues here include Eddie Henderson, who seems constantly to top himself these days; John Stubblefield on tenor sax, himself enjoying a well-deserved renaissance of sorts; David Williams on bass, who adds all the right touches, from fleet passages to resounding double-stops; and Victor Lewis on drums, who can do no wrong. Add to this guest appearances from guitarist John Scofield, percussionist Mino Cinelu, and violinist Naoko Terai, and you have a rich palette indeed, matched with elegant restraint to the character of eight Barron compositions-even the unvarnished blues of “Christopher’s Dance.”
Kenny Barron: Things Unseen
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