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Stu Harrison: Volume 1

By Dan McClenaghan
November 19, 2016
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Toronto-based pianist

Stu Harrison

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Stu Harrison doesn't boast much of an internet presence, so we'll go with the music: Stu Harrison: Volume I is a celebration of the standard piano trio format, a joyful immersion into ten familiar tunes, beginning with Lerner & Lowe's "The Street where You Live," from My Fair Lady soundtrack. The lively take on the tune puts Harrison, for this particular tune, in the old school, with a bouncy, sparkling sound that brings

Red Garland

piano
1923 - 1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Red Garland and

Oscar Peterson

piano
1925 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Peterson to mind, a sound full of freshness and spontaneity. "Blame it On My Youth," a tune covered by everyone from Carmen McRae, to Frank Sinatra to Nat King Cole," gets a gospel injection, featuring a slow, soulful role from the pianist and his veteran trio mates, bassist

Neil Swainson

bass, acoustic
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Neil Swainson and drummer

Terry Clarke

drums
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Terry Clarke; and "Place St. Henry," from the pen of

Oscar Peterson

piano
1925 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Peterson, rides in a fast-forward, festive romp, followed by the venerable "Body And Soul," a particularly graceful and fluid rendition of the time-tested standard

The music was laid down in two sessions, in a mostly one-take mode, and the immediacy of creation shines through, as the trio skips—after a searching rubato opening by the pianist—into into an invigorated version of Dave Brubeck's "In Your own Sweet Way" that snaps and pops with a brisk trio interplay.

Irving Berlin's "Cheek To Cheek," features Harrison opening in a stride piano groove that slips into a zesty and debonair rollick, that leads into the much more serious atmosphere of the Eden Ahbez's dark-toned "Nature Boy," adding a modern hue to the proceedings.

Dizzy Gillespie

trumpet
1917 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Dizzy Gillespie's "Manteca," one of the legendary trumpeter's most famous compositions, isn't heard much in a trio setting—it was written with Gillespie's big, bright Afro-Cuban ensemble in mind; but Harrison supplies a fitting arrangement, and comes up with a gem.

After The Red Garland and Oscar Peterson comparison's earlier, the name

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans comes up, with Harrision's rendition of "Young And Foolish." The harmonic depth, the shimmer around the edges beauty, the light yet purposeful, prayerful melodic touch. Marvelous!

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Track Listing

On The Street Where You Live; Blame It On My Youth; Place St. Henri; Body And Soul; In You Own Sweet Way; Cheek To Cheek; Nature Boy; Manteca; My Romance; Young & Foolish.

Personnel

Stu Harrison

piano

Stu Harrison: piano; Neil Swainson: bass; Terry Clarke: drums.

Album information

Title: Volume 1 | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: One Nightstand Records

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