Many aspects of pianist
Ben Waltzer's modern mainstream jazz musicality are enjoyable. His is a flowing, bright lyricism -- nothing forced, contrived, or clichéd -- and he uses darker reflective shadings and off-minor flourishes à la
Monk,
Tyner,
Cedar Walton, and his teacher
Geri Allen. He's well-trained (New England Conservatory, Tufts, Harvard) and far from lightweight. Here it's an all-trio session with bassist
Reid Anderson and drummer
Jordi Rossy on a program of two standards,
Monk and
Allen numbers, and five
Waltzer compositions. Of the originals, "Ian's Move" is hard charging, illuminating a melody in orange and yellow colors while swinging neatly and cleanly. It's similar to
Monk's revamping of "Sweet Georgia Brown" called "Bright Mississippi," which also shows up in slightly reworked fashion two tracks later. You expect waltzes from
Waltzer and they're bundled in the middle of the CD -- the title track a deeper hue than most light-hearted three-steps -- and "Skylark" starts with solo piano pining that turns to a 3/4 rhythm that is as quietly urgent and heartfelt as a
Randy Weston three-peat. "Home Away from Home" compares favorably to "Little Sunflower" in its melody line, a beautiful concept in a caravan-like pacing. A similar loping desert pulse informs
Allen's "Rain."
Anderson and
Rossy are quite good as rhythm mates, not overpowering the pianist but giving accurate doses of push and pull. This is especially evident on the uppity "Bright Mississippi" and a quickie in the time frame and spatial sense "Sketch." The ballad "Two People" gives
Anderson ample solo space, while holiday one note bell tones rev a modal adaptation of "Secret Love." There's another seat on the train next to fellow young pianists
Brad Mehldau,
Ethan Iverson,
Bill Charlap, and
Bruce Barth. It's occupied by
Waltzer, whose talent and taste easily rival his peers. This is highly recommended to lovers of the piano-bass-drums trio. ~ Michael G. Nastos