All of You on a Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Everyday can be like Sunday at the Village Vanguard during these times of crisis. "All of You" has rarely been interpreted more superbly than Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro's emotionally moving and lyrical take.

Old Rag

One of Jarrett's better trios performing an original rag-styled composition by Jarrett himself. It's playful, swinging, and a moving tribute to the history of jazz's roots. As an eclectic player whose music reflected influences from just about every form of popular American music, it's an interesting example of how modern jazz conceives its past. "New Rag" is also worth listening, for a composition looking forward in an even more playful manner. 

Steve Kuhn and Eddie Gomez/I Loves You, Porgy

This has been on repeat for the last 12 hours. Hearing Eddie Gomez tackle one of my favorite standards with someone who is not Bill Evans is a little depressing, but still lovely. It's a shame his solo is too brief, but Kuhn plays wonderfully here. Beauty is a rare thing...

I Love You, Porgy

I was listening to Bill Evans's short-lived trio with Jack DeJohnette and Eddie Gomez again, and somehow I missed the utter pulchritude of this solo piano rendition of "I Loves You, Porgy." I hate the title, but the music is pure ethereal beauty. While this recording may not be as famous as the legendary Village Vanguard trio recording, the cascading musical explorations of Bill are nothing short of soul-searching. I may have to revisit his solo recordings...

It Could Happen To You in Scandinavia

Kenny Drew's Trio does one of my favorite standards, "It Could Happen To You." This trio, featuring Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on bass, has an impeccable sense of rhythm and knows how to make the standards sound contemporary. This trio never, to my knowledge, ventured into the 'new thing,' but they demonstrate the vitality of straightahead jazz and the European jazz scene.

Now He Sings, Now He Sobs

Early Chick Corea produced some great albums back in the late 1960s. I'm loving Roy Haynes on drums but Corea's sounding almost like McCoy Tyner's modal jams around the same time, but still distinct. Miroslav Vitous made the list of bassists I must check out. 

McCoy Tyner's All of You

McCoy Tyner playing one of my favorite standards with Bob Cranshaw and Mickey Roker at Newport. I usually prefer Tyner with at least a quartet because an additional horn or two adds some extra depth to his chromatic playing. Near the song's end, Tyner hints at his more eccentric style that I associate with his Coltrane years and solo work in the the late 1960s and 1970s. The dependable Bob Cranshaw also gets a little solo, too, which is standard but gets the job done. Unforutnately, Coltrane never recorded "All of You" with Tyner on piano, but I can see it going even better than Wynton Kelly's accompaniment. 

Jazz Ballads and Trios!

Here are some of my favorite jazz ballads and trio recordings. Have fun!

http://grooveshark.com/album/The+Savoy+Sessions+The+Red+Norvo+Trio/5589213