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Noah Haidu: Standards

By Jack Bowers
August 2, 2023
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Forty years after the renowned Standards Trio comprised of

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Jarrett,

Gary Peacock

bass, acoustic
1935 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Peacock and

Jack DeJohnette

drums
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack DeJohnette released its debut album, Standards, Vol. 1, New York-based pianist

Noah Haidu

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Noah Haidu pays his respects with a similarly named enterprise (sans volume number) featuring bassists

Buster Williams

bass, acoustic
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Buster Williams or

Peter Washington

bass
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Washington and drummer

Lewis Nash

drums
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Lewis Nash, with saxophonist

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Wilson making it a quartet on four numbers.

The Standards Trio's body of work "brought me inspiration, solace and happiness," Haidu writes in the album's liner notes. His hope, he adds, is that this homage by his trio "may do the same for you." Haidu's approach, while generally straightforward, is nonetheless discerning and inspired, showing clearly why he is a rising star on the New York scene. As such, he is able to enlist the finest rhythm section within shouting distance, and Williams, Washington and Nash certainly measure up to that description.

Haidu's touch is elegant, his translation of melody and harmony invariably tasteful. In other words, he plays these well-known standards the way they should be played, with equal parts tastefulness and respect. So too does Wilson, whose expressive alto complements the core group on a blistering rendition of "You and the Night and the Music,"

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's heartfelt "Ana Maria" and (on soprano) Haidu's closing waltzes, "Last Dance 1 and 2." The other selections are time-honored standards, opening with Willard Robison's gentle "Old Folks" and continuing through "Just in Time," "A Beautiful Friendship," "All the Way," "Someday My Prince Will Come" (showcasing Washington's resonant bass), "Skylark" (Haidu on his own) and "I Thought About You" (highlighting a second strong solo by Washington).

Whenever a sweepstakes rests on beauty, "Skylark" always earns the prize, although "Old Folks," "All the Way" and "I Thought About You" are not far behind, while "Just in Time" and "Someday My Prince Will Come" leave an indelible mark on the swing metric. As for Haidu's themes, they stand up well against such strong competition. The rhythm sections are superb, Haidu sharp and pleasing, Wilson an admirable teammate. High marks all around.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Old Folks; Just In Time; Beautiful Friendship; All The Way; Someday My Prince Will Come; You and The Night and The Music; Ana Maria; Skylark; I Thought About You; Last Dance I; Last Dance II.

Personnel

Noah Haidu

piano

Buster Williams

bass, acoustic

Lewis Nash

drums

Peter Washington

bass

Steve Wilson

saxophone

Additional Instrumentation

Buster Williams: bass (1-4); Lewis Nash: drums (1-7, 9-11); Peter Washington: bass (5-7, 9-11); Steve Wilson: alto saxophone (6-7, 10-11).

Album information

Title: Standards | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

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