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Dave Hanson: Blues Sky

By Dan McClenaghan
March 25, 2025
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Pianist

Dave Hanson

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Hanson opens his Blue Sky with a joyful barnburner, "Two Masters," a tip of the hat to

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans and

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea, two of the biggest names in piano jazz. Hanson is probably best known for his work as composer-arranger and co-leader of Denver's H2 Big Band, but he pares things down on his Blues Sky album release, thanks in part to a weeklong artist-in-residence gig at Denver's Dazzle Jazz club, which allowed him to shape his sound for this small ensemble outing. Eight tunes are with rhythm section plus

Wil Swindler

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Wil Swindler's saxophone out front, and two are piano trio affairs, recorded live at Dazzles.

The previously-mentioned opener bounces joyfully, leaning more on the Corea side than in the often brooding and introspective Evans mode. Swindler's sax sounds hot to the touch and Hanson, bassist

Mark Simon

bass
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Simon and drummer

Paul Romaine

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Romaine keep things tight and snappy.

"Across the Bridge" pays tribute to civil rights champion John Lewis. The tune—carrying the same title as that of Lewis' memoir—has a determined forward momentum, with Hanson sounding particularly muscular in his percussive keyboard approach before he slips into a dazzling solo. "Ambrosian" is a tribute to trumpeter

Ambrose Akinmusire

trumpet
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Ambrose Akinmusire that pulls the fierce energy back to a lovely reverie.

Hanson has broad influences. His "Blues Sky" was written for

Jimi Hendrix

guitar, electric
1942 - 1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimi Hendrix's "Up From The Skies," from the guitarist's second album, Axis: Bold as Love (Reprise, 1967), while "Dylan's Dream" was written with—you guessed it—

Bob Dylan

guitar and vocals
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Dylan in mind.

The closer, "Muse Walk," does its stroll—almost a prance—on the sunny side of the street, wrapping things up on an optimistic note.

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Track Listing

Two Masters; Across That Bridge; June 16th; Ambrosian; Arnhem; As It Was and Is; Blues Sky; Cross Steps; Dylan Dream; Muse Walk.

Personnel

Dave Hanson

piano

Wil Swindler

woodwinds

Mark Simon

bass

Paul Romaine

drums

Album information

Title: Blues Sky | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Origin Records

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Dave Hanson Concerts

Sep 25 Thu

Dmitri Matheny Group | Jazz From The Silver Screen

Dazzle Jazz Club
Denver, CO

Dec 5 Fri

Dave Hanson Quintet

The Muse Performance Space
Lafayette, CO

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