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Danny Green: A Thousand Ways Home

By Edward Blanco
November 21, 2012
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Danny Green delivers his second album as leader with A Thousand Ways Home mirroring the same design he employed for his impressive debut With You In Mind (Alante, 2008). With a strong affinity for Brazilian, classical and jazz music, the San Diego pianist touched upon each of the genres in his first recording and continues his love affair here by incorporating elements from all and, as he states, "blending them together in my own way." A gifted composer, as well as a dynamic pianist with a flair, it certainly seems that "his way" works quite well, documented by each and every one of his thirteen creative compositions.

Joining Green on this adventure are returning band mates saxophonist

Tripp Sprague

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Tripp Sprague and bassist

Justin Grinnell

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Justin Grinnell, who, along with drummer Julien Canteim, form the core group. Among the other guests who grace the album are two renowned Brazilian artists, guitarist

Chico Pinheiro

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Chico Pinheiro and vocalist

Claudia Villela

vocals
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Claudia Villela, both appearing on the lovely "Quintal da Solidao." The title track weaves subtle elements of both the Latin and classical styles into a decidedly modern piece of music. The Brazilian flavor begins to emerge on the brisk and beautiful "Unwind," taking advantage of mandolinist Eva Scow's gorgeous string work.

Green's chops come to the fore on the classically tinged "Over Too Soon" and soft and delicate "Under Night's Cover," providing but a glimpse of his talents as a musician, having already established his mettle as a composer. Accompanied by some bluesy guitar work from

Peter Sprague

guitar
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Sprague, Green performs a brief straight-ahead statement on the very accessible "Soggy Shoes." "Flight of the Stumble Bee," "Tranquil Days" and the upbeat lively "Back to Work," where saxophonist Sprague is particularly pronounced on soprano, are all album highlights.

The two-part "Dusty Road" demonstrates Green's love for both classical and Brazilian music: the former on the brief, solo "Dusty Road—Part I"; the latter on "Dusty Road—Part II," with the assistance of guitarist

Dusty Brough

" data-original-title="" title="">Dusty Brough, for whom it might be assumed the piece is titled. Ending as he began, Green closes the session on another high mark with dazzling displays of musicianship from both himself and Scow.

A rare combination of excellent originals and a truly virtuosic performance from pianist Green could serve to propel A Thousand Ways Home to the top of the jazz charts. Perhaps just as noteworthy, this recording may well help cement his reputation as one of the important up-and-comers on the scene today.

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Track Listing

A Thousand Ways Home; Unwind; Under Night's Cover; Quintal ds Solidao; Nithtime Disturbance; Over Too Soon; Soggy Shoes; Flight of the Stumble Bee; Tranquil Days; Back to Work; Dusty Road - Part I; Dusty Road - Part II; Running Out of Time.

Personnel

Danny Green

piano

Danny Green: piano; Justin Grinnell: bass; Julien Canteim: drums; Tipp Sprague: soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone; Eva Scow: mandolin (2, 6, 12, 13); Chico Pinheiro: guitar (4); Peter Sprague: guitar (7); Dusty Brough: guitar (12); Claudia Villela: vocals (4).

Album information

Title: A Thousand Ways Home | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Tapestry Records

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