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Jon Mayer: Nightscape

By Ken Dryden
June 7, 2010
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Jon Mayer was working professionally as a jazz pianist as a teen back in the '50s, while attending the Manhattan School of Music. As well as working as a sideman with

Tony Scott

clarinet
1921 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Scott,

Kenny Dorham

trumpet
1924 - 1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Dorham,

Chet Baker

trumpet and vocals
1929 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Chet Baker, the

Thad Jones

trumpet
1923 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Thad Jones/

Mel Lewis

drums
1929 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Mel Lewis Orchestra,

Sarah Vaughan

vocals
1924 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Sarah Vaughan and others, along with taking part in record dates with

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

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

" data-original-title="" title="">Jackie McLean, Mayer contributed original pop songs to a number of vocalist record dates, though he did not make his recording debut as a leader until 1995 with Round Up the Usual Suspects (Pullen Music).

During the past decade, Mayer has found a home with Reservoir; Nightscape is his fifth CD for the label, all of which feature seasoned bassist

Rufus Reid

bass, acoustic
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Rufus Reid, while this is the third date with drummer

Roy McCurdy

drums
b.1936

" data-original-title="" title="">Roy McCurdy. Mayer doesn't attempt to dazzle with his technique, preferring to draw in with his variations on each theme. His upbeat setting of Ray Noble's "The Touch of Your Lips" and breezy take of

Cole Porter

composer / conductor
1891 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Cole Porter's "So in Love" are fine examples of what a veteran instrumentalist can do with time-tested standards. He is equally at home with familiar jazz works, working a bit of dissonance into the theme of

Oscar Pettiford

bass
1922 - 1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Pettiford's lively bop vehicle "Bohemia After Dark," and navigating the often tricky path of

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver's infrequently recorded "Room 608."

Any jazz musician worth his salt searches for overlooked gems, and Mayer uncovers one with

Harold Land

saxophone, tenor
1928 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Harold Land's late '70s ballad, "Rapture," an infectious medium-tempo performance buoyed by a soft ostinato bass line. Mayer's writing skills are also showcased: the dreamy title ballad suggests a walk home late on a perfect Manhattan spring evening, while the softly swaggering "Blues Junction" showcases the much-in-demand Reid in the solo spotlight.

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Track Listing

The Touch of Your Lips; Blues Junction; Day By Day; Nightscape; Rapture: Room 608; Dancing in the Dark; Bohemia After Dark; Theme For Ernie: Once I Loved; So in Love.

Personnel

Jon Mayer

piano

Jon Mayer: piano; Rufus Reid: bass; Roy McCurdy: drums.

Album information

Title: Nightscape | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Reservoir Music

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