Recorded in mid-November 2000,
Manhattan After Hours was clearly intended as a sequel of sorts to the Cedar Walton Trio's Criss Cross Jazz release
Manhattan Afternoon, which came together in December 1992.
Manhattan After Hours contains seven rock-solid jazz standards and two original compositions by the trio's guest soloist, Australian tenor saxophonist
Dale Barlow. The Walton Trio's signature sound owed fully one third of its sonority and cohesiveness to the presence of Trinidadian bassist Dave "Happy" Williams.
Manhattan After Hours was among the last albums ever to include
Walton's fellow modern jazz veteran drummer
Billy Higgins, who passed away in early May 2001. During the first decade of the 21st century,
Walton would continue to perform and record straightforward jazz of the highest order, in a welcome burst of creative maturity that has been documented on a series of albums for the HighNote label. Issued in several different editions with variable cover art,
Manhattan After Hours is warmly recommended for nocturnal driving or staying up late with friends at home. ~ arwulf arwulf