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Tim Ray Trio: Windows

By Dan McClenaghan
September 12, 2016
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The

Tim Ray

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Ray Trio supplied the spirited accompaniment on Kindred Spirits (Whaling City Sound, 2016), behind saxophonists

Greg Abate

saxophone
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Greg Abate and the legendary

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Woods. But they got the chance to step out—sax men taking a break—with a peppery take on Kurt Weill's classic "Speak Low," which serves as a preview of sorts for the Tim Ray Trio's Windows.

Ray, and his cohorts, bassist

John Lockwood

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">John Lockwood and drummer

Mark Walker

drums
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Walker, bounce into a joyful opening track, Duke Ellington's "I'm Beginning To Se the Light," a tune that sparkles in the trio's hands. They move into a radiant take on Thelonious Monk's "Monk's Dream," and slide from there into a fluid, pensive reading of Herbie Hancock's "Toys."

Windows is, in large part, a tribute to Ray's heroes:

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock,

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner,

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver,

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

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

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea, jazz pianists who have take the art of the trio to the highest level. He also includes his original "DE-Train," a madcap nod to Ellington's "Take the A Train," and "Joy," a Tim Ray original, a lovely, reverent piece of music with a subtle, whispering accompaniment from Walker and Lockwood.

There's a rollicking, down home version of Lyle Lovett's "I've Been To Memphis" (Ray worked in Lovett's band), followed by a scintillating cover of

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance," leading into an impressionist take on the

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea-penned title tune.

Windows is an exuberant immersion into a set of classic jazz compositions written by some of the stars of the art form some, played with a zestful grace by the Tim Ray Trio.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

I'm Beginning To See The Light; Monk's Dream; Toys; DE-Train; Joy; I've Been to Memphis; Dolphin Dance; Windows; So Tender; Star Eyes; Peace; 12 By 7.

Personnel

Tim Ray

piano

John Lockwood

bass

Mark Walker

drums

Tim Ray: piano; John Lockwood: bass; Mark Walker: drums.

Album information

Title: Windows | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Whaling City Sound

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