By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Volume 1
Pianist
Stu Harrison and his trio — Neil Swainson, bass; and Terry Clarke, drums — are
first-call Canadian artists in the Toronto jazz scene, and also have worked
with many familiar American groups.
Harrison’s
career has developed primarily within Canada, in a variety of musical settings;
he also heads his own music company. Swainson has worked with stalwarts such as
Rob McConnell, George Shearing and Slide Hampton. Clarke also has worked with
McConnell, and has been part of groups under The Fifth Dimension and John
Handy.
For
this debut album, Harrison offers tunes from both the Great American Songbook
and charts by jazz icons Oscar Peterson (“Place St. Henri”), Dave Brubeck (“In
Your Own Sweet Way”) and Dizzy Gillespie (“Manteca”).
It’s
obvious that we’re listening to an outstanding pianist before Harrison finishes
the first 16 bars of the first tune; his technique is flawless, and his melody
line improvisations are superb. He immediately evokes masters
such as Oscar Peterson, Lennie Tristano and Paul Smith.
Harrison’s
dexterity and speed on the keyboard are dazzling, and he just doesn't fluff or
make mistakes. In that respect, he’s almost too
good. A metronome keeps perfect time, but it doesn’t swing; the less
than perfect human touch is a key part of jazz on every instrument. That said,
we’re listening to a true artist here, and we can’t help being impressed.
Swainson
and Clarke are equally adept: Their beat is without fault, and they complete a
marvelous rhythm section. Their “fill” work and solos are excellent.
This
great trio debut will keep you entranced for hours and many, many repeat
listens. I look forward to future albums.
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