O’Connell, Bill
Random Chance, 2023, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 29.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Latin
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 87
O’s Notes: Pianist Bill O’Connell has longed for the shores of Eastern Long Island since his summers there as a kid. Live in Montauk captures his love for the ocean life. Bill leads a quartet with Craig Handy (t-sax), Santi Debriano (b), and Billy Hart (d). They open with a mellow take of “Do Nothing till You Hear from Me” featuring Randy Brecker (t). O’Connell opens up on “Sparks” with strong support from Hart, and again on “One Finger Snap”. There’s a cool arrangement of “Moanin’” before Brecker returns on the finale, “Tip Toes” that also includes strong solos from O’Connell and Debriano.
Publicist: Jazz Depot
