Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Michael Kocour: East Of The Sun

Michael Kocour: East Of The Sun

By Jack Bowers
February 26, 2019
View read count

Here's another well-planned and immaculately recorded solo album by pianist

Michael Kocour

piano
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Kocour, his second such enterprise for OA2 Records (the first, Wherever You Go, There You Are, was released in 2015). As its title suggests, East of the Sun consists almost entirely of gems from the Great American Songbook with one zircon (guitarist Don Gibson's "I Can't Stop Loving You," a signature song for the late

Ray Charles

piano and vocals
1930 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Charles) thrown in at the end for a diverting change of pace.

In recording by himself, with no rhythmic safety net, Kocour is continuing a jazz tradition that extends at least as far back as

Art Tatum

piano
1909 - 1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Tatum and perhaps even further, incorporating some of the master's phrases and others gleaned from such role models as

Hank Jones

piano
1918 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Hank Jones,

Tommy Flanagan

piano
1930 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Tommy Flanagan,

Barry Harris

piano
1929 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Barry Harris and

Cedar Walton

piano
1934 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Cedar Walton, among others. Even so, Kocour's voice is his own, and a strong one it is, making the strenuous task of imparting warmth, freshness and personality to a program of relatively well-known music seem rather easy.

It is, of course, hard to wander too far astray when reprising songs by Arlen, Gershwin, Porter or Carmichael, as their music all but speaks for itself. Kocour enhances it with charming themes by Neil Moret ("She's Funny That Way"), Cliff Burwell ("Sweet Lorraine") and Donald Heywood ("I'm Coming Virginia") in addition to Gibson's "Loving You" and Brooks Bowman's seductive title song, which opens the album. While Kocour always has his best foot forward and there's never a note out of place, the performance readily transcends that, as it is Kocour's singular approach to melody, rhythm and harmonic undertones that draws the listener's ear and engages his or her attention. As is true of almost anyone who shoulders the daunting task of completing a recital on unaccompanied piano, Kocour is at heart a story-teller, and the narrative he imparts via the keyboard is incisive and endearing.

Yes, there are a few partisans for whom a little solo piano goes a long way, but everyone else should have no trouble warming to Kocour's charming and resourceful excursions on East of the Sun.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

East Of The Sun; I've Got A Right To Sing The Blues; She's Funny That Way; Sweet Lorraine; Who Cares?; Just One Of Those Things; Come Rain Or Come Shine; I'm Coming Virginia; Stardust; I Can't Stop Loving You.

Personnel

Michael Kocour

piano

Michael Kocour: piano.

Album information

Title: East Of The Sun | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: OA2 Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Last Song for Valentine, Part 1-4: D...
< Previous

Rite of Passage
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.