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| DENNY ZEITLIN SOLO PIANO CRAZY RHYTHM: Exploring George Gershwin "The iconic West Coast pianist Denny Zeitlin is a consummate artist and craftsman… Crazy Rhythm – Exploring George Gershwin is an uncommon thrill for the senses… Mr. Zeitlin is clearly at the peak of his powers…. one of the few pianists around with the technical resources, musical grasp and conviction to recreate George Gershwin's legacy persuasively. In doing so, he amply demonstrates the timelessness and vitality of Mr. Gershwin's music. It seems safe to say that with Crazy Rhythm he has given us the Gershwin cycle for our time, and one unlikely soon to be superseded." Raul Da Gama, jazzdagama "… one of the most exciting and adventurous jazz legends around today… Recorded in 2018, the album is luxurious and explorative as Denny goes off in different directions, making this not so much a songbook collection but a Denny-fied re-imagining that makes the listen especially rewarding. No same old, same old here. Pure Denny." Marc Myers, jazzwax "Crazy Rhythm: Exploring George Gershwin (Sunnyside SSC 1693) contains some of the most familiar songs in American musical history, but you have never heard them like this. "Summertime" has a brand-new prologue, which surges and swells. When the immortal melody finally rings out, it is a rush. For Zeitlin, it was not a night for intimate understatement or wistful reflection. Normally graceful songs like "It Ain't Necessarily So" take on sharp angles and hard edges. Often, his powerful left hand marks out a grid of thick lines within which his right hand roams free. Gershwin's keys and harmonies become provisional. "My Man's Gone Now" is a ballad in tempo but not in tone; Zeitlin turns it into a series of dark, dramatic pronouncements. Over 13 minutes, he wrings the song dry." Thomas Conrad, Stereophile "…A spin through the set bolsters the opinion that nobody could write a popular tune containing a combination of deft grace and uncommon intelligence better than George Gershwin—an American treasure if ever there was one. And nobody plays them with more style and celebration of their charm and their simplicity/complexity dynamic—adding his own distinctive layers of complexity—better than Denny Zeitlin." Dan McClenaghan, allaboutjazz "Ever since the early '60s pianist Denny Zeitlin has excelled as an original improvisational voice… his pianoforte prowess and identity, his original stance in regards to a set of standards by Gershwin… Inspiration is abundant and it all makes for an excellent go round, affirming Zeitlin as a true master of the Jazz arts, up there with the heavies no matter how you want to stack it." Grego Applegate Edwards, gapplegatemusicreview "If Gershwin's Crazy Rhythm is what ails you, this good doctor may have just the cure… jazz pianist Denny Zeitlin, also a professor of psychiatry, starts with familiar Gershwin melodies and interprets them in a way that's playful, and yet respectful; he never trashes the tunes or distorts them…. the excellent new solo album…" Will Friedwald, newyorksun "The music of George Gershwin, but taken in a very different way than you might expect—yet that's maybe no surprise, given the long legacy of creative piano work we've loved from the great Denny Zeitlin! The tunes are all familiar Gershwin standards, but Denny often uses them as rough inspirations, then transforms them into these beautiful sound paintings of his own—still faithful to the spirit and ideas of the originals…may well be one of the most striking examples of Denny's longstanding talents that we've heard in years…" Rick Wojcik, dustygroove "…Exploring Gershwin with Zeitlin is a unique opportunity that gets more intriguing and satisfying with each listening of this precious, preserved recording… A great American musical composer as defined by the artistry of a great American musician; it's his gift to us, not only of Gershwin's legacy but his own. George Gershwin is one for the ages and so is Denny Zeitlin. Don't miss this treat." Steven Cerra, jazzprofiles "Each note Denny Zeitlin plays — as close to the book as his wandering imagination allows — is full and wonderful and all-encompassing with the best of the past where George Gershwin accompanied big, bold, contemporary cinematic tales with equal, musical measures…catchy, Crazy Rhythms that captured the adoration of an entire generation." Carol Banks Weber, carolbankswebercoggie.substack "Gershwin galore… Zeitlin starts with a stimulating, nearly nine-minute adaptation of "Summertime, "… It's a wonderful way to launch the set since it reveals Zeitlin's love for Gershwin as well as Zeitlin's intention to mix expected moments along with Zeitlin's unique approach to Gershwin… The album's audio quality is superb… Hopefully, Zeitlin can continue to issue other Piedmont Piano Company appearances. They are a fine display of Zeitlin's solo piano prowess..." Doug Simpson, audiophileaudition "What a treat this album is… Denny Zeitlin makes George Gershwin come alive, illuminating the universality of the composer's music as well as the joy (try and sit still listening to "S'Wonderful"). Pay attention and get lost; let this music take you away from the mundane, from the troubles, for the rewards are many!" Richard B. Kamins, steptempest "Throughout a six-decade career, Denny Zeitlin has thrived on the cutting edge of jazz…Zeitlin reworks these songs with an entirely new vantage point – his own – sketching out these classic melodies enhanced with his improvisational flair, harmonic richness and advanced ability… he can discern the complex feelings within each of these Gershwin songs… Zeitlin covers the songs of George Gershwin with imagination, passion and a deeply personal touch." S. Victor Aaron, somethingelsereviews "…Gershwin compositions featured in this program are dressed up in new clothes benefiting from Zeitlin's restless, exploratory creativity and curiosity… Now 85, Denny Zeitlin continues to play with both an amazing technical facility and inexhaustible stream of ideas." Pierre Giroux, newyorkcityjazzrecord "…Denny Zeitlin goes solo on this rich and melodic album of interpretations of George Gershwin material. Zeitlin is a master of the rabbit trail, and he does some glorious ones,,, Everything by Zeitlin is worthwhile, and this latest release has him in his best milieu, alone together with his piano. Another warm colored tile to add to his rich mosaic of a catalogue." George W. Harris, jazzweekly "Crazy Rhythm: Exploring George Gershwin is a wonderful survey that offers deeply personal reimaginings of familiar tunes like The Man I Love and Summertime. As well-known as these songs still are after so many years and countless performances, Zeitlin's reinventions make them new all over again… The audience in Oakland, and now listeners at home, are the clear beneficiaries of this long acquaintance, now immortalized on this thoroughly delightful CD. Highest recommendation!" Stuart Kremsky, mrstusrecordroom write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |