Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Bill Mays Trio: Autumn Serenade

Bill Mays Trio: Autumn Serenade

By Dan Bilawsky
May 14, 2023
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In Autumn Serenade,

Bill Mays

piano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Mays gifts us a bountiful harvest of seasonally-bound beauties. This 40th leader date from the eminent pianist finds him fronting a trio with two longtime colleagues—bassist

Dean Johnson

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Dean Johnson and drummer

Ron Vincent

drums
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Vincent—and welcoming vocalist Judy Kirtley and producer/guitarist

Matt Balitsaris

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Balitsaris for guest appearances on a single track. Together, all parties join up for a musical journey filled with reflection and romance.

Opening on the

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane/

Johnny Hartman

vocals
1923 - 1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Hartman-associated "Autumn Serenade," Mays makes good on the song's alluring ideals while Vincent's light-touch tom groove and Johnson's steady underpinnings enhance the general atmosphere. Blending his own writing with that of a Baroque bigwig, the leader turns next to the purity of The Four Seasons on the gleeful "Autumn with Vivaldi." Then he drops in on

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's "Fall," using that number to emphasize interplay within the trio; shows a real appreciation for the nature of tuneful and deciduous designs—and the art of trading solos—on "Lullaby of the Leaves"; and utilizes his own pen again for "Still Life," offering hope and grace while bringing Johnson to the fore.

Giving his trio mates a break and taking the mic while tickling the keys on "'Tis Autumn," Mays seems to channel the late

Bob Dorough

vocals
1923 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Dorough (who turned him on to the tune and inspired him to sing). Ralph Burns and

Woody Herman

band / ensemble / orchestra
1913 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Woody Herman's "Early Autumn" brings the trio back into play, demonstrating their simpatico on a swinging stroll through the crisp air. Then the program comes to an end with a pair of medleys. First there's a comforting and enthusiastic meeting of

Bob James

piano
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob James' "Autumn Nocturne" and Josef Myrow's different composition bearing the same name. And last is a finale connecting David Shire and Richard Maltby's "Autumn" to Barry Manilow and Johnny Mercer's "When October Goes," bringing the guests into play and adding light-touch Logic orchestrations to the bossa-based ending. As seasonscapes go, it's truly hard to beat this set. While approaching 80 years of age, Bill Mays remains at the top of his game.

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Track Listing

Autumn Serenade; Autumn with Vivaldi; Fall; Lullaby of The Leaves; Still Life; 'Tis Autumn; Early Autumn; Autumn Nocturne / Autumn Nocturne; Autumn / When October Goes.

Personnel

Bill Mays

piano

Dean Johnson

bass, acoustic

Ron Vincent

drums

Judy Kirtley

vocals

Matt Balitsaris

guitar

Album information

Title: Autumn Serenade | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

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