Gene Harris recorded extensively from the time he came out of retirement to his untimely death in early 2000. This previously unissued concert, from 1996 at London's Pizza Express, features the pianist with a group of British musicians (guitarist
Jim Mullen, bassist Andrew Clyendert, and drummer Martin Drew, the latter worked extensively with
Oscar Peterson) who were chosen prior to his arrival in England. Though the musicians had not played together as a regular group, they gelled rather well as a unit. This hour-plus set starts with an invigorating, extended workout of "(There Is) No Greater Love." His jaunty, rollicking setting of
Thelonious Monk's "Blue Monk" is bluesy and swinging.
Harris changes gears to offer a subtle, lyrical, solo interpretation of "My Funny Valentine"; from there he segues into
Duke Ellington's "In a Mellow Tone" and slowly builds it from a whisper to the boiling point. A shimmering "Misty" and a lively impromptu blues close this excellent set. ~ Ken Dryden