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| GREG REITAN TRIO live at DIZZY'S CLUB NYC | Tuesday October 18th | 7:30pm & 9:30pm GREG REITAN TRIO live at Dizzy's Club Jazz at Lincoln Center Tuesday, October 18th 2022 Shows at 7:30pm & 9:30pm featuring Greg Reitan, piano Jack Daro, bass Dean Koba, drums "Greg Reitan possesses blazing chops, which are put to excellent purpose on his fifth CD. Titled for inspiration received after his trio performed at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola in Manhattan's Columbus Circle...His compositions are thoughtful yet never mawkish, while his prodigious technique takes his longtime trio of bassist Jack Daro and drummer Dean Koba down unexpected paths. The trio plays as a seasoned unit, a rare thing in any jazz environment. The bubbling-stream opener "Hindemith, " loosely based on the work of the German composer, soars between time signatures and time feels, a perfect workout for the kinetic trio. Here and throughout West 60th, Reitan's melodic flurries are both exciting and so logical that they almost sound written; it's easy to get lost in his technical gifts. Bobby Hutcherson's ballad "When You Are Near" combines fragility with a sense of mourning. "Momentum" recalls the fiery melodies of Chick Corea but turned down a notch, to no less spectacular effect. "Lines" begins in dance-like drum corps mode before flying straight ahead, in blistering fashion. "Luminosity" is graceful and haunting, while "Man Overboard" again applies the heat, the trio nailing every change and accent with cool composure..." - Ken Micallef - JazzTimes Magazine, June 2019 "Fleet as ever in his keyboard forays, Reitan also achieves an aching sentimentality in the late vibraharpist Bobby Hutcherson's "When You Are Near, " which features superb backing from his longtime sidemen, drummer Dean Koba and bassist Jack Daro. Reitan and his trio are also notably gentle in Herbie Hancock's "Little One" and his adaptation of Aaron Copland's "Four Piano Blues. Movement No. 3." The eight Reitan compositions on the album range from the excitement of "Hindemith, " inspired by German composer Paul Hindemith's sonatas, to "Epilogue, " the fast yet gentle waltz that closes the album. Throughout, Reitan has notable support from Koba and Daro. They are a trio tightly connected and conditioned by years of mutual achievement. In recent years, Reitan has written and arranged music for a variety of film and television projects, but this album is a reminder that he is prominent among contemporary jazz pianists." - Doug Ramsey - ArtsJournal, Rifftides, July 2019 "Greg Reitan is a pianist of uncommon talent, with a rich tone and an inclination for finely distinguished playing. In his latest release on Sunnyside Records entitled West 60th, he establishes a firm command of the material which is both intricate and challenging. Working with his colleagues of long standing, bassist Jack Daro and drummer Dean Koba, Reitan not only stretches his compositional talent but at the same time, reinterprets several compositions from both well known jazz and classical composers. The classical derived pieces are Reitan's own composition "Hindemith" and the Aaron Copland work "Four Piano Blues, Movement No.3". Greg Reitan and his trio continue to dazzle taking their artistry from a variety of eclectic sources." - Pierre Giroux - Audiophile Audition, April 2019 "The best way to listen to "West 60th" is to start at the beginning and go right through to the melodious "Epilogue". The music, at times exciting, always melodic, contemplative, and filled with intelligent musicianship, demands and deserves your attention. Others have compared Greg Reitan and his music to that of Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett; there are hints on several tracks but what one always hears on this album is creative songs, excellent arrangements, intelligent interactions, and a trio that loves to play together. Works for this listener." - Richard Kamins - Step Tempest, December 2019 "West 60th is comprised mostly of Reitan originals, but he includes a trio of well-chosen covers: a brooding and beautiful take on vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson's "When You Are Near, " keyboardist Herbie Hancock's "Little One, " perhaps the most recognizable tune from the Miles Davis classic ESP (Columbia, 1965), and a reverent take on Aaron Copland's "Four Piano Blues, Movement No. 3." "Man Overboard" moves hard ahead with a zesty elegance, leading into "Epligoue, " a slice of measured, ruminative beauty to close the classy show." - Dan McClenaghan - AllAboutJazz, March 2019 "Reitan has a rich touch, not unlike Fred Hersch and swings with grey matter on "Hindemith" and the bouncy "Lines." Koba's cymbals lead the way on the pulsating nocturne "Momentum" and his brushes coax along the title track. Reitan gives an elegant read of Herbie Hancock's "Little One" and a rich serenade with Bobby Hurtcherson's "When You Are Near, " giving a solo aria on the classy and panoramic read of Aaron Copland's "Four Piano Blues." He's got the heart of a bopper, as he shows on "Man Overboard" and the DNA of a romantic, particularly on "Epilogue." A nice combination!" - George W. Harris - Jazz Weekly, May 2019 "Reitan performs eight of his originals and a song apiece by Bobby Hutcherson, Herbie Hancock and Aaron Copland ("Four Piano Blues, Movement No. 3"). Many of Reitan's originals are taken uptempo (particularly "Hindemith, " "Momentum" and "Lines"), have original chord changes, and melodies that are quickly discarded in favor of his adventurous flights. In contrast is his moody "Luminosity, " the jazz waltz "West 60th" and his treatments of the Hutcherson ("When You Are Near") and Hancock ("Little One"), pieces which are taken as sensitive ballads. The interplay between Reitan and bassist Daro, the subtle playing of drummer Koba, and the overall feel of the trio is sometimes reminiscent of Bill Evans, but the material is generally more advanced and Reitan's solos are more outwardly virtuosic The inventive playing on West 60th grows in interest with each listen." - Scott Yanow - LA Jazz Scene, May 2019 "Mr. Reitan is also a master of mood and atmosphere and displays on "Luminosity" (for instance) the ability to coordinate colour and structure to a very rare degree. And the variety and stylishness of the rest of his enterprising programme is matched by the performances throughout. Somehow, Mr Reitan brings effortless Chopinesque urbanity and lyricism to all of the material we hear here...Long-time bassist Jack Daro and percussion colourist Dean Koba are also magnificent throughout showing that they are fully attuned to Mr Reitan's vision and artistry." - Raul da Gama - JazzdaGama, June 2019 "Cinquieme album que Greg Reitan enregistre pour Sunnyside avec Jack Daro (b) et Dean Koba (dm), "West 60th" [****] fait entendre un pianiste en pleine possession de ses moyens qui renouvelle avec bonheur son inspiration. Huit nouvelles compositions et trois standards sont au programme d'un opus tres varie qui ne devoile sa richesse harmonique qu'apres plusieurs ecoutes. Attache a la tradition du bop, Reitan joue beaucoup de notes mais sait aussi les faire respirer, les choisir delicates comme en temoignent les harmonies elegantes de ses propres morceaux." - Pierre de Chocqueuse -- Jazz Magazine, France, June 2019 write your comments about the article :: © 2022 Jazz News :: home page |