Playing at Maybeck Recital Hall before a small but attentive crowd seems to bring out the best in many pianists.
Stanley Cowell performs a well-planned program of 14 selections on this 1990 CD. On a two-minute "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise,"
Cowell runs through all twelve keys. He pays tribute to the stride-piano tradition on "Stompin' at the Savoy," explores some bop, Latin-jazz (a transformed "Autumn Leaves") and post bop music, plays "Jitterbug Waltz" in the style of
Art Tatum, inteprets "Stella by Starlight" in 5/4 time and performs
J.J. Johnson's "Lament" with just his left hand. A very interesting recital. ~ Scott Yanow