This CD may serve as an introduction for many jazz fans to Turkish pianist
Meral Guneyman, who is predominately a classical player with an affinity for jazz. She shares the spotlight with
Dick Hyman, an accomplished performer in both jazz and classical music, with a long stretch of his career working in studios on all kinds of musical projects. The duo piano arrangements of
George Gershwin's works were transcribed by classical pianist
Earl Wild, with
Hyman adding the improvised sections. Most of the remaining tracks were penned by
Hyman, including four variations of "(Back Home Again In) Indiana" and a three movement suite "Three Raps for Two Pianos."
Hyman's dramatic setting of
John Lewis' "Django" would have pleased its composer. The lack of improvised interaction between
Guneyman and
Hyman is a bit frustrating, but given
Hyman's extensive experience playing duo performances with other jazz pianists, it would be hard to expect
Guneyman to take as many chances. Adding a few more well known jazz compositions might have also loosened things up a bit, but in any case, this is still an enjoyable meeting. ~ Ken Dryden