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Kevin Fort: Everything I Love

By Dan McClenaghan
April 21, 2025
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The ghosts of pianists past inhabit the music of

Kevin Fort

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Fort. The Chicago-based piano man's third album release, Everything I Love, keeps a grip on the tradition with an eye to right now on this ten-tune workout that includes five engaging Fort originals and and five well-chosen standards, incuding the

Cole Porter

composer / conductor
1891 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Cole Porter title tune, the Rodgers and Hart's "Spring Is Here," and

Tadd Dameron

piano
1917 - 1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now."

Those ghosts?

Erroll Garner

piano
1921 - 1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Erroll Garner,

Tommy Flanagan

piano
1930 - 2001

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

Bud Powell

piano
1924 - 1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Bud Powell. Then there is the Crescent City spirit on "Do You Know What It Means To New Orleans," which sounds like a show closer in a Bourbon Street bar, when lights are low. The trio goes about their thing with a way down south groove. At the same time, Fort's original, "Deceptive," goes with a more modern approach, with a stylish swagger, and Henry Nemo's "Don't Take Your Love From Me" showcases an update on the Bud Powell bounce, upbeat and optimistic ln spite of the lingering possibility of loss of romance in the air.

Fort's trio mates, bassist

Joe Policastro

bass, acoustic
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Policastro and drummer

John Deitemyer

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">John Deitemyer, offer strong, distinctive support rather than the fade into the background assistance, making Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now" play out with a sizzle and snap. The leader's original, "Winter Crescent," opens on an inward note, and rolls along on five minutes of understated beauty.

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans may be looking on from the spirit world, as

Red Garland

piano
1923 - 1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Red Garland gazes over his shoulder.

"Everything I Love" the tune, sounds, in Kevin Fort's hands, like the perfect show closer-spritely and up-tempo, light-stepping, leaving the audience members with some spring in their step.

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Track Listing

Mako; Senn��s Poem; Spring Is Here; Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?; Deceptive; Elemental; Don��t Take Your Love From Me; If You Could See Me Now; Winter Crescent; Everything I Love.

Personnel

Kevin Fort

piano

Joe Policastro

bass, acoustic

Jon Deitemyer

drums

Album information

Title: Everything I Love | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Jerujazz Records

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