A protégé of Jackie McLean’s (he studied with the late, great alto sax master at the Hartt School during the late ’80s), Connecticut native Mike DiRubbo has a big, bold alto tone, an unerring time feel and remarkable facility on the instrument. Those qualities are put to good use in this stripped-down, revealing duo setting with veteran pianist Larry Willis, a consummate orchestral accompanist and accomplished soloist. The two demonstrate uncanny telepathy throughout their intimate dialogues on Monk’s “‘Round Midnight,” Horace Silver’s “Peace,” the standards “Star Eyes” and “Alone Together” and DiRubbo’s lyrical “Introspection,” which finds him singing through his alto with relaxed gusto.
Originally PublishedMike DiRubbo & Larry Willis: Four Hands, One Heart
JazzTimes may earn a small commission if you buy something using one of the retail links in our articles. JazzTimes does not accept money for any editorial recommendations. Read more about our policy here. Thanks for supporting JazzTimes.
